Helicopters Headquarters

The norm for a building of this scale in this area would have been an ornate, neo-classical façade.  AI achieved a landmark planning decision by gaining permission for a continuous glass façade, arguing that the fritting on the glass served as decoration.  The white dot frit simulates raindrops, the pattern increasing in density with the height of building. This gives the facade a solid appearance and protects it from glare and excessive solar gain, reducing the need for internal cooling during the hot summer period.

The project comprises two connected volumes – a new-build 14-storey, rectangular office building and a 7-storey hotel with multi-story, underground car park and hotel – arranged at right angles around the existing 2-storey building on the site.  AI maximised the building footprint, stretching the ground floor plan to the site boundaries, while truncating the plans above second storey, so that the façade appears blade like from one of the key sightlines.

To reduce the visual bulk, structural elements have been used to dissect the buildings, delineating the 2^nd and 7^th floors to reflect the heights of the historic building and hotel respectively. The buildings are connected by two glazed bridge walkways that give office users access to the hotel’s facilities.