The energy friendly new Rothschild’s headquarters in the City of London has won a place on the short list of the ICE London Civil Engineering Awards.
Director of ICE London, Miranda Housden, said: “The ICE London Awards are considered to be the most prestigious engineering awards in the capital, demonstrating innovation, creativity and social value whilst embedding a safety and sustainability culture. Shortlisted projects must be excellent in design, construction, project management, financial control, infrastructure maintenance or network operation.
“Rothschild’s new headquarters is a building of exceptional quality and flexibility developed in a constrained and historically sensitive site within the City of London. Through the application of comprehensive fully co-ordinated 3D Engineering this stunning building was subsequently shortlisted for the 2012 Stirling Prize.
“The building creates a premium contemporary headquarters and also rejuvenates the historic built environment; reinstating a visual connection between St Swithin’s Lane and St Stephen Walbrook – a church designed by Sir Christopher Wren.
“New Court achieved a BREEAM for Offices rating of Very Good. With an EPC Energy Performance Asset Rating of B, the building also delivers a 34.2% improvement over the UK Building Regulations Part L CO2 target emission.”
Consulting Engineer for Arup, Lesley Gale, said: “We are delighted that our project has reached the shortlist of the ICE London Civil Engineering Awards as we are very proud of the work we have done on this project.
“Shortlisted for the 2012 Stirling Prize this stunning building has made a significant contribution to the City of London. Arup Engineers worked closely with the project team from the outset to conceive a building of exceptional quality and flexibility on an extremely constrained and sensitive site. The application of comprehensive, fully co-ordinated 3D modelling was key to delivery of the engineering disciplines.
“Designed by architects OMA with Arup providing multi-disciplinary engineering services, the building is based around a central block with 10 floors of open-plan offices and a roof garden. Three adjoining annexes house private offices, meeting rooms, and the circulation core. On top of the central block, a small tower, the Sky Pavilion, extends to two double-height spaces affording stunning views of the city.
“This is the third headquarters building that Rothschild has occupied on the site in St Swithin’s Lane since 1809. The building creates a premium contemporary headquarters and also rejuvenates the historic built environment; reinstating a visual connection between St Swithin’s Lane and St Stephen Walbrook, a church designed by Sir Christopher Wren. “
The Judging Panel will visit all the shortlisted schemes in February, chaired by Rod Macdonald, UK Director of TSE-n Metro UK and founding partner and former chairman of Buro Happold. Judges include the Deputy Mayor of London, Cllr Victoria Borwick AM, and Executive Director of Laing O’Rourke, Howard Shiplee CBE.
The award winners will be announced on the evening of Thursday 14 March by BBC London presenter Alice Bhandhukravi.
For more information on the ICE London Civil Engineering Awards 2013 can be found at www.ice.org.uk/londonawards.
ICE London has more than 8,000 members living and working in the city. More information can be found at www.ice.org.uk/London. You can follow ICE London on Twitter: @ICE_London