Atlantic House
- Client: M&G Real Estate
- Contacts: Charles Graham
The design of Atlantic House had to accommodate the very different architectural contexts of Holborn Viaduct and Farringdon Street whilst incorporating a rebuilding of the historic south-west city gatehouse and the adjoining listed Holborn Viaduct within the height parameters set by the strategic views of St Pauls Cathedral.
The design responds to these challenges by use of a pivotal, knuckle at the junction with Shoe Lane from which the two oppositely curved elevations of Holborn radiate to deal with the juxtaposition of differing scale required.
The predominant red sandstone echoes the rich colouring of the Viaduct and, as a material was chosen for it’s long life span.
Atlantic House was an early adopter of loose fit flexible floor space maximising future proofing with column free internal floorspace, generous storey height design and profiled external facades that facilitated environmental shading and performance. The building has an imposing full height entrance hall and central space which was an early example of facilitating multi use front of house areas.
Although nearly 25 years old the design has withstood the test of time as a key building in the Holborn Circus urban setting and as a modern workplace building.
