For the first time in the past few years, the RIBA has presented the Sterling Prize for an office building - the awards were given mainly to buildings for cultural and educational institutions. RIBA President Ben Derbyshire noted that the joint work of Foster + Partners and the client, Bloomberg agency, "not only raised the bar in office design and urban planning, but broke the ceiling." He also described the headquarters as "a great illustration," lucidly explaining "why the UK is the world capital of the [architectural] profession."
The headquarters of the American company is considered the most sustainable office in the world and the largest stone building in the City of London after St. Paul's Cathedral.
The architects managed to create a comfortable workspace for 4,000 employees, equip the building with high technologies and not offend the conservative requirements of the Old World for aesthetics. The differences between the two approaches are reflected in the contrast between the restrained exterior and the dynamic interior.
According to the founder of the corporation, Michael Bloomberg, he tried, realizing the responsibility of construction in central London, to ensure that the office of the company became a "good neighbor"; "To honor and contribute to London's history."
The building consists of two volumes. Between them there is a passage for walking and relaxation - along the route of the ancient Roman road. The complex also includes a new exit to the Bank metro station, cafes, restaurants and an underground
the museum of the ancient temple of Mithras, which was discovered at this place 60 years ago.
Those involved in the project note that mutual understanding within the "client-architect" tandem and the possibility of constant dialogue were of paramount importance. The award received is “a testament to the incredible spirit of collaboration that lies at the heart of the entire project,” summed up the head of the bureau, Norman Foster. Lead Architect Michael Jones believes that "there is a good customer behind every good building," and the Bloomberg headquarters is proof of what happens when "the vision of the customer and the architect coincide." ***
In the same ceremony, which was broadcast live by BBC 24, the recipient of the Stephen Lawrence Prize, which RIBA awards talented emerging architects for projects with a budget of less than a million pounds, was announced. The prize went to Greg Storrar of Tonkin Liu Architects, who turned a run-of-the-mill outbuilding into a resource-efficient home for his parents. An abandoned barn in North Yorkshire, where tools and equipment used to be stored, has become not just a dwelling, but a repository for a collection of books and art objects. In the heart of the building is a spacious library, which the owners have been collecting all their lives. Traditional technologies and inexpensive materials were used during the construction, which allowed to stay within the modest budget.
In addition, the judges honored the Bethnal Green Memorial from
Arboreal Architecture, dedicated to a little-known tragedy of World War II: the stampede at London Underground Station Bethnal Green on March 3, 1943, which killed 173 people - mostly women and children. The sculptural and architectural composition symbolically depicts the space where these people died. In the canopy in the form of a staircase, holes are knocked out according to the number of victims of the disaster. The project took 12 years to complete.
And finally, the customer of the year was the company
Argent. With this prize, RIBA annually recognizes clients who participate in “creating a great architecture”. Developer Argent has been honored for its "commitment to creating lasting transformation" - in particular, for "transforming King's Cross and revitalizing cities across the country."
The company has been on the market since 1981, in the United Kingdom, it has implemented several impressive mixed-use projects that have played a key role in the renewal of non-capital cities. For instance,
Brindley Place in Birmingham: almost seven hectares with many buildings, which, in addition to shops and restaurants, has a large aquarium, theater and art gallery; office centers in Manchester - on St. Peter's Square, almost 27 thousand m2, and in the bohemian North Quarter, 7400 m2… However, the developer was presented with an award for the latest achievements: the redevelopment of the territories surrounding the Kings Cross station, including the construction of an 11-storey R7 office building, a 198-room student dormitory Victoria Hall and the transformation of two gas tanks from 1867 and 1850s into the Kings Gas Holders Residential Complex, respectively. Cross and the park.
