Our world-class headquarters for financial services firm UBS have raised the bar for office and workplace design. We worked with developer British Land to design a functional, pragmatic space that allows UBS to consolidate its London workforce for the first time. The result – a 13-storey ‘groundscraper’ – is visually innovative and represents a powerful vote of confidence in the City. Furthermore, it’s become a catalyst for regeneration in the Broadgate area.
We based our bold design on the form of a perfectly machined metal object – a symbol of the building’s internal function. The main facade is primarily constructed from stainless steel, which unifies the surface, establishes a strong presence, and reflects its bespoke nature and single occupier. This sense of robustness is rigorously carried through to the detailing, materiality and finishes, reflecting an architectural language of quality and precision. Inside, an ultra-rational arrangement of the structure and cores provides 4 large trading floors that can accommodate up to 3,000 desks, plus 7 levels of offices.
We’ve enhanced the site’s flow and connectivity with new and improved pedestrian links at ground level, and rolled out detailed landscaping and specially commissioned public artworks to reinvigorate its public spaces.
5 Broadgate isn’t just new workspace for UBS – it’s a new City standard for efficient design.
The building’s exterior expresses its key internal features. The angles of the stairs are matched by the angle of the glazed slots on the east and west elevations, and the lifts have been expressed with vertical slots to maximise the views.
5 Broadgate has a substantial area of green roof and the biggest array of solar panels in the City. Ninety-nine percent of its construction waste was diverted from landfill, and it's one of the few buildings worldwide to receive an FSC Chain of Custody certificate, all of which has contributed to the project's BREEAM 'Excellent' rating.
5 Broadgate is a catalyst for a much wider regeneration that is re-energising a development stuck in aspic since the 1980s.
We evolved the design through drawings, more than 30 solid models, and countless computer renders – an intense testing of ideas, exploring different methods of construction, cladding, and building services.
