88 Wood Street

The 33,000m² building situated on the corner of Wood Street and London Wall is arranged as three linked blocks of office accommodation that step up from eight-storeys on Wood Street.

The viability of construction of a large office block on a severely restrained site depended on the resolution of several significant structural problems. The office wings are constructed of in-situ post tensioned concrete which contrasts with the lightweight, steel-framed service towers containing toilets, lifts and fully glazed stairs.

The use of colour enhances their impact - air intakes and extracts at street level are also brightly coloured, contrasting with the neutrality of the occupied floors

The building contains many innovative features. Its triple-glazed active façade is formed of single panels, each 3x4m, of highly transparent float glass. The inner faces of the external panes have a low emissivity coating which further reduces internal solar gain, while the cavity between the double glazed units and the third panel is fitted with motorised, integral horizontal blinds with perforated slats. Photocells on the roof monitor external light conditions and adjust the angle of the blinds, thus minimising sun-glare, heat gain and energy consumption.