Would you like a side of ham with that gherkin? With the addition of Foggo Associates new “Can of Ham” office tower, describing London’s skyline is beginning to become more akin to reading from the shelves of your local grocery store.
Taking its nickname from its unique arched shape, 70 St. Mary Axe is a 446,863-sf, 21-story office tower that is the newest addition to a cluster of towers in the City of London. The building’s scheme provides efficient, flexible office space organized around a central core. Retail accommodation and public realm enhancements are incorporated at the ground level.
A double-height reception area with a front desk created as a one-off art installation, welcomes visitors into the building. 70 St. Mary Axe was created with movable walls for maximum flexibility. The 70 SMA app can be used to order food from the various coffee shops and cafes, book time in the building’s fitness amenities, hire the building’s bikes, or book meeting rooms and event spaces. Lounge spaces on the mezzanine level and the second floor are available to tenants with no booking required. Additionally, 70 St. Mary Axe has 328 cycle spaces on site and has achieved CS Platinum, the highest level of cycling score certification.
The distinctive height and form of the building were designed in response to strategic local views. Solar heat gains to the office space are reduced thanks to vertical shading fins on the curved facades and glazed double wall cladding on the end elevations. Borehole thermal energy storage and energy piles are also included to help the building achieve low carbon emissions.
Unfortunately for the Can of Ham and its new neighbors the Gherkin and the Cheese Grater, the Tulip will not be joining them as part of London’s colorfully-named skyline.
Related Stories
Contractors | Feb 6, 2015
Census Bureau: Capital spending by U.S. businesses increased 4.5%
Of the 19 industry sectors covered in the report, only one had a statistically significant year-to-year decrease in capital spending: the utilities sector.
Office Buildings | Feb 3, 2015
5 trends transforming workplace design
RTKL's workplace design expert Jodi Williams foresees healthier and more technologically enabled offices that allow productive worker interaction, wherever they happen to be.
Office Buildings | Feb 3, 2015
Bjarke Ingels' BIG proposes canopied, vertical village for Middle East media company
The tensile canopy shades a relaxation plaza from the desert sun.
Office Buildings | Feb 2, 2015
Study shows modern workers struggle to leave work at the office
Study findings indicate that more than half the respondents holds tight to their smartphones, checking and responding to email and taking phone calls, all or most of the time.
Office Buildings | Jan 28, 2015
Sustainability’s missed opportunity: small commercial buildings
The real opportunity for shrinking the nation’s energy footprint lies in the mundane world of small commercial buildings, writes BD+C's David Barista.
Office Buildings | Jan 27, 2015
London plans to build Foggo Associates' 'can of ham' building
The much delayed high-rise development at London’s 60-70 St. Mary Axe resembles a can of ham, and the project's architects are embracing the playful sobriquet.
Office Buildings | Jan 26, 2015
Seattle gets a peek at Amazon’s latest plans for its downtown complex
The online retailer is seeking permits to build on a fourth city block that would include 835,200 sf of office space.
| Jan 14, 2015
10 change management practices that can ease workplace moves
No matter the level of complexity, workplace change can be a challenge for your client's employees. VOA's Angie Lee breaks down the process of moving offices as efficiently as possible, from creating a "change team" to hosting hard-hat tours.
| Jan 13, 2015
SOM-designed Broadgate Exchange House wins Twenty-five Year Award
Exchange House, an elegant 10-story office building that spans over the merging tracks of London’s Liverpool Street Station, is located in London’s Broadgate Development.
| Jan 9, 2015
10 surprising lessons Perkins+Will has learned about workplace projects
P+W's Janice Barnes shares some of most unexpected lessons from her firm's work on office design projects, including the importance of post-occupancy evaluations and having a cohesive transition strategy for workers.
