Barclays Bank Headquarters
Location Canary Wharf, London, UK | Client Barclays Bank | Architects HOK Architects, Pringle Brandon Architects | Size 5-6 story atria | Status Completed 2004 | Tags Corporate and Commercial | Photographs Morley von Sternberg, Chris Gascoigne, MSP
MSP designed the five interior atria for the new headquarters for Barclays Bank, designed by HOK Architects with interior outfitting by Pringle Brandon Architects. Each atrium is six stories high and is surrounded on three sides by offices that look down into the open space.
Each atrium enjoys three–dimensional installations, including hanging artificial materials and floor components of organic plant materials. They offer choices for how and where staff work within the building.
For the sixth floor installation, artificial bamboo rods hang from the ceiling at varying angles. Below them, a circular seating area is delineated by bamboo plants. This arrangement allows for vibrant views from above, and outdoor views at floor level in an area which nevertheless feels secluded.
On the twelfth floor, oversized artificial philodendron and Monstera deliciosa leaves, hang from the ceiling, creating a tropical, jungle–like canopy. Beneath these leaves, actual Monstera plants sit in planters beside various seating options.
On the twenty–fourth floor large, colorful, hanging transparencies of deciduous trees create an abstract forest, balanced by potted deciduous trees on the floor below.
The top atrium of the building is in the form of a geometric indoor hedge garden with blue and green glass boxes suspended from the ceiling above.
While each atrium is unique, they all provide informal breakout spaces, lounges, and gathering points. At night, the spaces are lit to allow the collection of shapes and images to glow on the interior and exterior of the building.
