Key Details

Overview

5 Merchant Square is a 262,000 sq ft Grade A office building arranged over 15 floors in Paddington Basin, London W2.

Designed by architects Mossessian & Partners, its large open floor plates, dynamic façade and the stunning full height glass atrium create an inspirational work environment at a prestigious landmark address. The development is superbly located within Paddington Basin, adjacent to the Grand Union Canal, and at the heart of the new Merchant Square mixed-use development where Marks & Spencer and Orange have already located their headquarter offices.

Summary specification*
- 5,500 sq ft triple height reception area
- Dramatic 15-storey atrium
- Four-pipe fan coil air conditioning*
- 2.75m floor-to-ceiling height*
- 150mm nominal raised floor*
- Four passenger lifts, dedicated to floors 8 and above
- Goods lift
- 227 covered cycle parking spaces8 car parking spaces
- Excellent BREEAM
- Excellent green credentials*

Composed of three contrasting triangular elements its dynamic form presents an animated façade on all sides enlivening the canal frontage, addressing the existing office buildings to the west, and forming the Western boundary of a new public square. The building's envelope features varied textures and patterns to emphasise lightness and improve energy efficiency, and includes a bold use of colour. With floor-plates averaging 25,000 sq ft it is an elegant yet highly technical response to the growing demand for quality office space in London's West End.

The dramatic 15 storey public atrium - the tallest in Europe - is an art work in its own right. Covered in striking red screen printed glass frit panels it forms stunning patterns against the surrounding buildings and river without tinting incoming natural light. On entering it creates an immediate sense of light, air and openness not usually associated with office buildings. This is echoed in the high ceilings and the external terraces at the corner of every floor which offer spectacular views of the city - unique ‘communal' areas where employees are encouraged to meet.

The aluminum framed curtain wall system breaks up the façade of the building with a lively and varied texture that offers clear views outside whilst maintaining an important sense of privacy. In keeping with the firm's strong environmental ethic through energy efficient design the building has achieved carbon emission reductions in excess of part L requirements. The cladding also enabled mossessian & partners to reduce the use of glass in the building to 40%, contributing to its BREEAM ‘Excellent' rating.

Neighbouring Buildings
Waterside Building to the west.
Paddington Gardens to the north.


Source: merchantsquare.co.uk