Environmental Interactions

The St. Paul's Cathedral and the
Information Centre as seen from behind

 As previously talked about, opposite the grassy square on which the information centre lays, sits one of London’s biggest historical landmarks, St. Pauls Cathedral. Other notable articles in the immediate environment include the two main perpendicular axes of travel passing the centre: the first being a busy East-West road connecting the City of London to Westminster and the other being a strong North-South pedestrian flow connecting St. Pauls to Tate Modern and consequently the North and South sides of the river. It is of course located within the City of London, a predominantly business district of London but also with plenty to attract the tourism which the centre serves.
 

The grass area in front of the centre

   The final structure takes the form of a bespoke metal envelope, folding dramatically from the ground. Its many angular creases give it a truly dynamic appearance, changing from every angle. The Centre's triangular footprint has arisen from the flow of pedestrians around it: with few passing behind, the building opens up at the front to the primary passing routes, welcoming and almost funnelling visitors in. This inviting effect is accentuated by the glass front to the building, making it appear more open and easy to access. It rises from its grassy plot reflecting and absorbing colours of the surrounding environment whilst opening up to welcome visitors in.



The information centre at night


   By night a series of street lamps lead the way through the garden towards the centre where the building appears as a glorious, enlightened cathedral, sofly glowwing in the dark. Its pertruding corners spire outwards and upwards towards the sky, echoing its holy context. With the opposing trees and extending roof, a vague sheltered arch is created where the glowing light is centred. Here visitors can still look through the glass to a series of screens displaying information after closing hours.



The Building as seen from behind, showing its angular folds

    The building's dramatic de-constructive form in the context of a fiercely traditional heritage site was a risky move by MAKE architects. Nevertheless it's difficult to find an angle from which the building looks out of place. Whilst standing out as a noticeable landmark in its own right, the centre does nothing to detract from the Glory of St Paul's. The sloping roof makes the building 'look up' at its colossal neighbour in a metaphorical nod of respect, whilst simultaneously ensuring there is an absolute minimum impact to its views. It is both dramatic and discrete.

 

One of many light inlets in the roof

    In the current political climate it is increasingly important to not only consider the local environment of any new structure but also its impact on the environment of the entire world. MAKE’s design rises proudly to exacting environmental standards and has been engineered to exceed current targets for CO₂ emissions by over 20%^[1]. Dynamic lighting, automatically adjusting brightness to work with temporal levels of natural light entering through its bountiful inlets and 300mm of modern insulation^[2] help minimised wastage. In addition its recycled timber^[1] lining and organic surroundings help minimise any negative environmental impact.

References
1. http://www.designbuild-network.com/projects/st-pauls/ - 24/10/2010
2. Architectural Tour of “The City of London Information Centre” 2/11/2010
All images are our own.