The Capital Building works on two levels, performing as part of a background chorus of buildings and at the same time setting its own distinctive tone. Four masonry-clad volumes capture a central raised courtyard and expansive Thames views from all levels. An interconnecting lightweight bridging structure – raised and glazed to maximise views from and through – spans above the northern edge of the courtyard. Hosting double-aspect units and positioned with views over the river, the scale of its bays and thin stainless steel framing express a lightweight character that contrasts with the sturdiness of its bookends. A regular grid of slender brick piers organises the elevations, their strong verticality giving a nod to the grouped bay windows of London's mansion block typology as well as to the American school of Louis Sullivan. Accommodating 159 apartments and roof terraces, below ground car-parking and retail at street level, this building combines with two other high-density residential developments to complete Phase 1 of the Embassy Gardens Masterplan. Together, they stand as a masonry cluster of individual buildings which, when read from a distance, form a unified backdrop to the new US Embassy.

2014
Location
Nine Elms, London
Client
Ballymore Group

Allford
Hall
Monaghan
Morris