grimshaw's st botolph building in london features a pioneering lift system

in the fifth and final feature of a film series documenting some of grimshaw’s most significant projects, we take an exclusive look inside a landmark office building in central london. wrapped with gradated blue glazing, the st botolph building offers a total floor area of 53,000 square meters, and is is organized around a dramatic light-filled atrium that includes a pioneering means of circulation.

the building is wrapped with gradated blue glazing
image by andrew byrne © grimshaw

configured for use by multiple occupants, the upper 11 floors of the grimshaw-designed structure contain high specification offices, with the lower two storeys organized for maximum flexibility and the potential to become dealing floors. at lower ground levels, accommodation for multifunctional spaces and retail outlets ensures an active street frontage.

the st botolph building offers a total floor area of 53,000 square meters
image by wendy lee © grimshaw

the central atrium features four perimeter cores that give uniform access to all tenants. the arrangement allows each of the 16 elevators to operate independently in the same shaft, optimizing access for all users. the thyssen krupp lift system allows two independent cars to run in the same shaft simultaneously. an intelligent call system provides co-ordination of the elevator group and assigns passengers to the lift best suited to their destination. see designboom’s ongoing coverage of grimshaw’s work here.

the dramatic atrium includes a pioneering means of circulation
image © peter cook / view

four perimeter cores give uniform access to all tenants
image © peter cook / view

16 elevators operate independently in the same shaft
image © peter cook / view

the system allows two independent cars to run in the same shaft simultaneously
image © peter cook / view

an intelligent call system co-ordinates the elevator group
image © peter cook / view

the upper 11 floors contain high specification offices
image © peter cook / view

project info:

location: london, UK
project type: workplace
client: minerva plc
area: 48,775 sqm
status: completed 2010

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