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Sumit Singhal
Sumit Singhal loves modern architecture. He comes from a family of builders who have built more than 20 projects in the last ten years near Delhi in India. He has recently started writing about the architectural projects that catch his imagination. K&L Gates at One New Change in London, England by LSMJanuary 19th, 2014 by Sumit Singhal
Article source: LSM When the American law firm K&L Gates merged with a UK-based organization in 2005, the firm decided to increase its presence in London. For its new home, the firm chose the unbuilt One New Change, a mixed-use complex designed by Jean Nouvel and located across the street from St. Paul’s Cathedral.  Image Courtesy © Richard Bryant Architectural
 Image Courtesy © Richard Bryant Architectural The complex form of the building posed both opportunities and challenges for the design. One New Change is designed to celebrate St. Paul’s; the visual focal point is an arcade, or “apse,” which splits the building in half and directs views to the cathedral. The cascading rooflines and faceted exterior walls that accentuate this view corridor create interior spaces with low ceiling heights, which limit occupancy.  Image Courtesy © Richard Bryant Architectural By locating the reception area, conference rooms, breakout spaces, and café along the apse, dramatic views were enhanced and spatially awkward areas minimized. A two-story multipurpose room creates drama and also counteracts an otherwise compromised area.  Image Courtesy © Richard Bryant Architectural The space (120,000 rsf), designed to promote synergy among employees, provides opportunities for cross-practice business development and increased productivity. Parallel to the development of flexible, interactive work spaces was the creation of public spaces designed to enhance the firm’s business. The transparency and openness of the work spaces promote and support interaction of all types, drawing employees out of closed rooms and promoting new patterns of communication.  Image Courtesy © Richard Bryant Architectural Sustainability was an important goal for the project, which was assessed by the Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM). The BREEAM assessor provided guidance and best practice advice throughout the project, an approach that proved through experience to offer the surest route to certification and to holistic sustainable design.  Image Courtesy © Richard Bryant Architectural An “excellent” rating was not achievable because of limitations imposed by the base building. However, the project was able to earn a “very good” rating with a high margin, making it one of the first fit-out projects to be BREEAM certified.  Image Courtesy © Richard Bryant Architectural
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