Holborn, a district in central London, can look back on a chequered history, which today manifests itself in the colourful mix of architectural styles. Joining this ensemble on one of the principal axes of this area is an impressive office and retail development designed by international architects Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates (KPF): 60 Holborn Viaduct.

BREEAM ”Excellent” rating was the goal for this new building with more than 20,000sqm of energy-efficient office space on nine levels. Flexible interior layouts are possible and retailing can be found on the ground floor.

A key element in the design is the Gate House, a corner building in traditional stone architecture that “mediates” between the new development and the adjoining Victorian buildings. To the side of and behind this, a modern steel-and-glass façade with exterior shading elements encloses the enormous main body of the building. Projections and returns in the line of the façade plus set-back upper floors give rise to a powerful dynamic presence. One particular eye-catching feature are the aluminium fins in front of the unitised façade. With each one twisted about its own axis at a different height, these shimmering fins allow different views into the building.