One Bartholomew Close

London, UK

Project details
Client

Helical

Architect

Sheppard Robson Architects

Duration

Completed in 2020

Services provided by Buro Happold

Facade engineering

One Bartholomew is a prime new office building within Barts Square, a three-acre mixed use development that also contains retail units, restaurants and apartments.

Situated in the bustling Central London district of Farringdon, this 12-storey structure provides tenants with amenities entirely befitting the contemporary workforce. The design is integrated into extensive public realm improvements to create a pedestrian-friendly scheme enlivened by places to eat, drink and socialise at ground level.

The building features a 6,000ft² double-height reception, a lounge area, and an expansive terrace on the tenth floor. Finished to the highest standard throughout, it has a BREEAM sustainability rating of Excellent while being Wired Certified Platinum for connectivity and digital infrastructure. In addition to excellent transport links – which will include ready access to Crossrail once operational – those within pedalling range have 388 spaces for bicycles at their disposal. As somewhere to conduct business, One Bartholomew is a rare combination of singular design, impeccable environmental credentials and superb location.

Challenge

One Bartholomew has generous floor-to-ceiling heights and an adaptable floorplate design. Enabling superior performance for a contemporary workforce, this is one of the first buildings in the UK with closed cavity facades and integrated, intelligent shading. Buro Happold took responsibility for delivering this sophisticated system, which was chosen to meet the visual aspirations of a fully glazed building that can achieve extremely tight management of natural light, solar energy and thermal transmission.

one bartholomew close a mixed use commercial development in London
Buro Happold designed a self-supporting structural glass extension on the top of the neighbouring 90 Bartholomew Close, blending the modern city office with the heritage of St Bartholomew’s Hospital. Image: Alex Upton

Solution

Buro Happold played a key role in testing and evaluating the facade design and the contractor’s work to ensure that the required performance and quality of design was observed.

The fully glazed, active double-skin facade system is linked to the building management system via sensors. This allows the facade to adjust solar shading levels and glare control on all elevations in response to changing external conditions. The solution was devised to meet the latest environmental performance and occupier requirements while attaining a BREEAM rating of Excellent. As well as the active facade system, the scheme also includes green roof space combined with solar panels incorporated into plant areas.

one bartholomew close a mixed use commercial development in London
We designed the closed cavity unitised system for uninterrupted views of St Pauls Cathedral and maximum comfort control through smart, integrated systems. Image: Alex Upton

Value

One Bartholomew Close provides sustainable Grade A office space for Barts Square. The considered and characterful design provides a landmark identity for the area while helping to integrate this inspiring new development into the wider community. As of January 2020, it is fully let to a diverse range of high-quality companies.

one bartholomew close a mixed use commercial development in London
Using our experience in glass and unitised technology, we specified the all glass system to ensure a very high visual quality, minimising the effects of glass bow and light distortion. Image: Alex Upton
one bartholomew close a mixed use commercial development in London
Image: Alex Upton

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