Frameworks is an emerging part of London’s former docklands, adjacent to Canary Wharf. AHMM’s proposals for Plot D3/D4 link the two urban blocks to create a single ‘palazzo’ serving the new piece of city – a lean 21st century warehouse-as-office. Designed through technical research and rationale, the building’s form is open and honest, establishing a strong but quiet presence against the taller towers on the waterfront. Its steel frame is expressed externally, acknowledging the site’s history of dock structures and cranes while lending a simplicity and clarity to elevations.
The scheme offers a generous journey through the building, from entry into a spacious and active lobby, through a light-filled core and on to an accessible rooftop space designed to be enjoyed by all building users. Office floors are generously proportioned and efficient, with balconies at every level. Finishes are robust, elegant and minimal, offering flexibility for tenants to configure, reconfigure and fit out according to their changing needs. Each floor is well served by volume, light and air with air-conditioning and potential for opening windows and mixed mode ventilation, giving users control over their surroundings and comfort.