Hieronder kunt u de Engelse tekst lezen van het artikel dat door the Richard Rogers Partnership is gepubliceerd op 10 februari 2004.
The British Land Company PLC has today submitted a planning application for The Leadenhall Building at 122 Leadenhall Street, London EC3, a major new building designed by leading international architects the Richard Rogers Partnership
The new 48-floor glass tower encloses a revealed structural steel frame, with colour and light adding depth and animation to the north-facing façade. Its slender, tapering form rises to a height of 736 .5 ft (224.5 m) in the eastern cluster of tall buildings in the City of London. Lord Rogers of the Richard Rogers Partnership, said:
''This light and transparent tower will have a strong sense of identity and character with a spire-like tapering profile - respecting views of St Paul's. Its lightness, clarity and drama will grace London's skyline."
The spectacular scale of some half an acre of public space at the base of the building, featuring mature trees, will be unlike anything else in London. It will provide a major attraction within the dense urban character of the City, where people can sit and relax, eat, or enjoy a programme of events and entertainment - art exhibitions, music performance and cinema screenings.
The space provides a new public route linking Leadenhall Street with Undershaft and St. Helen's Square: restaurants, bars and cafés will enliven the lower levels of the building from ground through to third floor.
1. This outstanding building will provide 576,650 net sq ft (53,571 square metres) of the highest quality and best office space to meet the anticipated need for a substantial increase in office space in the City, in particular from 2006 onwards. It will provide flexible and adaptable accommodation with floor sizes ranging from 6,275 -21,334 net sq ft (583-1,982 square metres). The office floors take the form of simple rectangular floor plates which progressively diminish in depth towards the apex with larger flexible floors on the lower levels. The retail development will be around 18,000 sq ft (1,676 square metres)2. There are two transfer levels which allow passengers to connect between lift groups on levels 10 and 24. The use of colour and transparency on the north-facing wall provides legible blocks which define a unique presence both in near and long distance views.
Views and Setting
3. The proposed development is not within a conservation area and lies outside the Strategic Views of St Paul's Cathedral and the St Paul's Heights Grid.
Public Space
4. The lower levels of the building are recessed on a raking diagonal to create a large public space which opens up to the south and Lloyd's of London. The public will have access to the ground floor and by elevators to the second and third floors which are expected to provide a unique public realm offering within the context of the City. Overlooking the public space will be a public bar and restaurant at levels 2 and 3 respectively which will be served by glazed public lifts with generous terrace areas providing animation and views into the space and beyond.
5. The proposed landscaping in the outside space adjoining the building will enhance St Helen's Square and will form part of an improved public amenity . Planting and low level screens under the building create a sheltered environment at pedestrian level for recreation . Retail kiosks will be situated at the ends of significant areas of linear lawns.
foto's: 'Richard Rogers Partnership / Cityscape'
