A diamond made of glass and steel – this is how the complex of buildings showcases Baker Street today. The design by Make Architects is characterised by energy and cost efficiency. At the same time, the extensive renovation of the 50-year old complex has created one of the most attractive architectural benchmarks in England.
 
The new visual aspect of the complex of offices and businesses originated by linking up the individual buildings via three intricate, modular glass facades, the so-called “masks”. An atrium suffused with light and spanning the entire height of the seven-storied building connects the office and commercial areas and provides a distinctive entrance that is recognisable from a great distance.
 
The appearance of the three “masks” was not to be compromised by visible connecting pins. Therefore, as large as possible individual units were prefabricated and then welded together on site, also minimising the time needed for assembly.
 
The large span of these “ladder elements” required special reinforcement and, due to the complex geometry and dead load of the façade’s supporting structure, a high degree of precision during assembly. An innovative, three-tiered, fish-scale glazing system rounds off “glazed diamond’s” appearance.
 
To do justice to the elaborate geometry, all the components and units were designed entirely in 3D. Integrating the new structure into the existing building constituted quite a challenge, considering the various extreme requirements in thermal stress, deformation and wind loads. To accomplish this, special slide bearings and stabiliser-bars were developed for these purposes.
_{Photos © Make Architects}