News:
HOLMES SUBMITS 110 QUEEN STREET FOR PLANNING
6 June 2008
Holmes has submitted a full planning application, on behalf of Valad Property Group, for a major commercial mixed-use development on 110 Queen Street, Glasgow. Located in one of Glasgow's most important conservation areas, and surrounded by mainly A-listed buildings, the £40m Queen Street project will provide a stunning new addition to the cityscape.
The challenge for Holmes was to deliver a building that would not only respect and enhance the historic city-centre surroundings but would also redefine the boundaries for office design in Glasgow in terms of design, functionality, innovation, energy-efficiency and use of materials. The aim is to achieve an 'Excellent' BREEAM rating for the building's environmental design and specification.
Holmes has delivered a challenging but sensitive design-solution, using minimalist detailing and clean lines. The first eight storeys of the building are stone-clad with randomly positioned window openings which respond to the texture of the adjoining Victorian buildings in a modern interpretative language. The impression of solidity is contrasted with a glazed upper section that extends above the lower stone structure with a double-façade made up of full height frameless panels in shades of clear, green and blue.
A key consideration for architect and developer is the visual impact of the project at both street and city-wide level. Visible from a wide range of viewpoints, the building will have a dramatic relationship with its immediate location. Its design acknowledges the original masterplan for this part of the city, in particular its emphasis on the focal point of GOMA terminating Ingram Street. GOMA’s visual ‘frame’ will now be completed by the new building which, just as importantly, will also reconnect Ingram Street to Buchanan Street with its strong urban presence at the centre of the Queen St axis. The visibility of the project from George Square has also been an important consideration for the designers. The glazed upper section will be strikingly lit from the roof terrace with alternating colours and effects, acting as an exciting new beacon on the city skyline.
While the influences are international and drawn from exemplars of contemporary architecture around the world, the solution is highly contextual and crafted to suit the existing urban grain and revitalise this important location in the city's Central Conservation Area.
The rigorous design principles underpinning the project have been informed by key City design and development policies and planning guidance, in particular the Glasgow City Plan which requires that “that developments should conform to the plan’s design principles, policies and standards; to produce well-designed layouts of an appropriate scale and massing of buildings and landscaping using high quality materials suited to their surroundings.”
A decision on the planning application is expected later in the year.
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For further information and images contact John Pelan