The River Building / Stiff + Trevillion – 【Architectural CAD Drawings】

Architects: Stiff + Trevillion
Location: London, United Kingdom
Architects In Charge: Daniel Campbell, Takatomo Kashiwabara
Area: 92000.0 ft2
Project Year: 2017
Photographs: Andy Stagg

Structural Engineer: Michael Edwards
Client: Blackstone

Text description provided by the architects. The River Building is a two-storey structure bridging the landmark towers of Cannon Street Station. Originally constructed as part of Cannon Bridge House the vast floor plates were designed to house the London International Financial Futures and Options Exchange (LIFFE). This presented challenges for the design team, deep floor plates created dark offices and the bridge structure over a busy railway station set limitations on what was possible.

Stiff+Trevillion were commissioned to lead the design to re-imagine these floors as new Grade A workspace, independent of Cannon Bridge house with its own distinct identity. Embracing the unique character and constraints of the original structure the design repositioned the building to fit a newly emerging tenant profile, ensuring wellness, economic, legislative and technological priorities were met whilst ensuring high standards for sustainability.

Upgrading the on-floor MEP systems and reconfiguring services distribution within the space meant the architects design team achieved bright, fresh and unusual office accommodation with improved floor to ceiling heights, levels of natural light and increased occupational densities. The engineering teams worked hard to retain rather than replace MEP systems where they could, reducing waste, cost and time whilst contributing to much improved comfort, energy efficiency and commercial return.

Adhering strictly to the London View Management Framework, new south façade glazing and atrium roof lights were installed to improve energy performance, natural lighting levels, interior ambience and the building’s appearance.

Efficient planning of the cores, reconfiguration of the atria and a new approach to a comprehensive rationalization of MEP services allowed expansion of the net office space to a total of 92,000sq ft across two expansive floor-plates with panoramic views of the River Thames. Office users also have access to a spectacular one acre roof garden, enjoying stunning 360° skyline views in the middle of the City. That 50 % of the building was let prior to Practical Completion with the remainder let very soon afterwards – a 100 % let to a nontraditional City tenant – is testament to the vision of the design team.