Cellular Operations

The building is conceived of as an extrusion of two elements. There is a linear horizontal block, which is clad in black insulating sheet material holding huge sheets of solar-shading capillary glass. These are punctuated with a series of horizontal and vertical windows-within-windows that allow the users a glimpse out.

By contrast the south elevation is a complex curvilinear glass armature which snakes along the waterfront elevation, wrapping around to form a nose which functions as the main entrance.

Once inside, the nose is constructed from a complex series of structural tubes that take planar glazing fixings. The language of the curve is carried through to the reception desk that is a collage of stainless steel ‘scales’. On turning the corner the desk becomes a coffee bar with a neon sign above.

Within the body of the space the regular layout of work stations sits perpendicular to the black-box facade, while the clear-glazed enclosure creates a meandering break-out zone.

The second floor of the building steps back along the south elevation in section revealing a double-curved concrete soffit which has a clear-glazed handrail embedded into the nib.