The Design Council is to move to the Angel Building, a new Stirling Prize-shortlisted office building on St John’s Street, London EC1 later this year, after fifteen years in its current location in Bow Street, Covent Garden.
The move is planned for summer 2012 and will allow the Design Council to reduce its outgoings and improve its commitment to sustainability whilst occupying a more flexible, modern space which reflects its broader role to champion excellent design in the built environment.
The BREEAM ‘excellent’-rated building was designed by Allford Hall Monaghan Morris and has been highly commended for its sustainability, flexibility and exceptional use of light and outdoor space. It was created from the superstructure of a previous building on the site, in order to retain embedded carbon, and its sustainable design features include use of biomass for heating and recycled rainwater systems for flushing toilets. It was shortlisted for the Stirling Prize for Architecture in 2011.
David Kester, Chief Executive of the Design Council said:
“This new and more flexible space is a fantastic example of how great design can create places which are good for business, people and the environment. I’m looking forward to welcoming our stakeholders, partners and others to our new home after we move in the summer.”
The Design Council will be joining a variety of innovative organisations already based in the Angel Building, including Cancer Research, Expedia and Sage.
The Design Council has occupied its current location, a converted BT telephone exchange in Bow Street, since 1997. The third and fourth floors of the building were converted for use by the Design Council and designed by award-winning interior designer Ben Kelly.
The move is subject to contract, but the Design Council has agreed commercial terms for the tenancy.
Design Council www.designcouncil.org.uk