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project report – the charter building and thames tower
‘Architects need to keep a firm focus on the end game, which is to attract the best tenants in order to reinvigorate and inject life back to
the building’ Jai Sanghera, founding director, dn-a
Reading railway station and the main high street. The cladding choice recognises the fact that Reading’s
nearby Victoria Street has some of the finest examples of terracotta building facades but the design is also inspired by the Guaranty Building. Sanghera says: “The Guaranty Building, the first modern skyscraper designed by Louis Sullivan in Buffalo, New York, is of very similar proportions with beautiful filigree terracotta details. Hence the concept for Thames Tower is a 21st century version of that.” He continues: “We’re giving the tower a base by reinforcing
the double height colonnade at street level with a double height reception area. A two-storey window detail at the top balances this and crowns the building.” The chamfered corners are gone and the use of two types of
terracotta tile – one a flat face, the other fluted – will add detail and accentuate the height of the building. The result, says McLarty, should transform Thames Tower from “a pretty ugly duckling into a beautiful swan”. Internally, Sanghera adds, the quality of the existing ‘beton
brut’ concrete frame and floor slabs, have inspired dn-a to strip back the ceilings and choose exposed services and suspended light fittings, which are the interior ‘piece de resistance’ and hence treated as a fifth elevation. On the new floors, the steel structure has been left exposed. McLarty says: “These changes in the aesthetics – the floors
also change in volume and height as you go up through the building – adding to the choice for prospective tenants so it’s not the same boring, ‘vanilla’ space.” Office space throughout the multi-let Thames Tower is
being designed to provide everything that is needed for the modern commercial tenant, including the flexibility to customise everything from the design of the kitchen and communal areas to the occupation density of the workplace.
Collaborative working spaces
In common with The Charter Building there’s an ethos of try- ing to create a community in the building and collaborative working spaces, as McLarty confirms: “The penthouse area features a roof terrace with views across the Thames Valley and the idea is to create community space up there so that even if you only have some space on lower floors you still have access to the terrace. “It will be an added amenity, providing more interaction
with the building and integration of people, giving occupiers more than ceilings, floors and walls.” Sustainability features are similar to those at The Charter
Building but also include the latest lift control technology that more efficiently manages lift movements, taking you to the floor you want to go to – and only that floor. Referring to both The Charter Building and Thames
Tower, Sanghera says that the driver was to ensure that pleasant environments were created for staff: “People spend an inordinate amount of time working so it’s not just about creating a working environment, they want to enjoy the process too.
BUILDING PROJECTS
www.architectsdatafile.co.uk He asserts that remembering the client’s motivation is a key
part of this: “Architects need to keep a firm focus on the end game, which is to attract the best tenants in order to reinvigorate and inject life back to the building.” Chris Hiatt, director of Landid Property, gives credence to
the success of the approach: “Thames Tower and The Charter Building were attractive to us as they both offered the chance to reinvigorate and reposition tired, out-of-date offices into contemporary workspaces that cater for the modern workforce. Both sites had clear potential.” He adds: “We sought to create a new sort of working
environment; one that promotes well-being among the occupants and allows them to work as easily and efficiently as possible.” Both buildings are within a short walk of public transport
hubs in their respective towns with quick access to central London, are centrally located and close to a range of shops and restaurants. Hiatt concludes: “Reading and Uxbridge each have growing
businesses that need a workspace that match their needs and aspirations.”
Main contractor: Bowmer & Kirkland Sub-contractor: Derrys Building Services Project manager: Rider Levett Bucknall Architect/Interior designer: dn-a architects Quantity surveyor: Rider Levett Bucknall M&E engineer: Ramboll Structural engineer: Peter Brett Associates Light consultant: Light Bureau Facade consultant: Mike Crossley Consult Landscape architect: Turkington Martin
Cladding: James & Taylor, Alphaton range, plain and deep grooved Oxydrot Double glazing: Arcon, Superneutral A70 Sunbelt Steel: Shipley Structures Revolving doors: Boon Edam, Enhanced Crystal Tourniket Lifts: Schindler, Times Square Range Interior bamboo panelling: BCL Timber Projects
Cladding: James & Taylor, Alphaton range, hellgrau (light grey) Double glazing: Toughened and HST SunGuard Glass Wagner Steel: Shipley Structures Revolving doors: GEZE Lifts: Otis Interior timber panelling: BCL Timber Projects
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