Working

200 Broomielaw

Brief

The Client's brief was to design a nine storey Grade A office building at the heart of the newly formed International Financial Services District in Glasgow.  It was to replace the existing two storey Seaman's Mission building and its 1970's annex. The brief was clear and simple, it had to be functional, efficient and attractive.  We had built our Client's trust throughout early conceptual work and they allowed us the freedom to deliver the correct solution, with a design to mark the first major commercial building for the group.  One of our greatest challenges came when the Mission building was 'spot listed' on the day our Client took possession.  We therefore needed to look at all options that included both retaining and demolishing the existing buildings.
Response
Our response, was the least compromising solution, to demolish the existing buildings and start afresh. This meant the challenging task of persuading the planning authorities and Historic Scotland that we had justification enough to do so. The building had to be of the highest quality design and materials.  At the same time it had to compete as a full commercial venture in a very competitive office market. The decision to use nautical influences would pay homage to the Seaman’s Mission and its approximation to the river proved to be a good decision.  A very simple functional, rectangular floor plate flanked by a more avant-garde sweeping front glass façade and stone tower was our response.
Outcome
The design was commended by both urban design groups and Historic Scotland and we gained permission to demolish the Grade B listed Mission building.  The elegantly shaped glass façade gently follows the curvature of the road, whilst the tall atrium space behind provides a buffer to the traffic noise along the Broomielaw.  One of the stone carvings of a large Cutty Sark,  which was part of the old Mission building, is displayed in the front atrium of the new building. The building was subsequently occupied on all floors and sold by Walker Group as a highly profitable commercial venture.

Team