The Scoop London, UK
The Scoop is a unique and innovative office building located in Southwark, London. The design reuses an existing building and integrates a conical cut-out façade in white glazed bricks, creating a playful and novel response to the site’s context and neighbouring church.
The main design goal for The Scoop was to create a visual bridge between the public realm and the church, while maximizing the development potential for the client. This aimed to ensure that the adjacent heritage asset was celebrated rather than hidden by the new development.
The design retains the significant southern-facing and corner return of the existing facade, blending it seamlessly with a new build extension. This detailed approach ensures a successful integration into the neighbourhood, adding to the area’s creative and artistic reputation.
Shape and Form
The shape and form of The Scoop were developed through extensive exploration using digital 3D models. A maximum development envelope was established according to the local context and planning policy. Various design permutations were explored to integrate this envelope with the site context, during which the scoop’s principle was conceived.
Each brick was modelled to fit this shape using a custom parametric tool, and bricks were categorized based on their exposure and glazing needs. This precise modelling facilitated detailed scheduling and the production of bricklaying drawings for on-site implementation.
This design was refined using accurate 3D parametric modelling to define a tight viewing corridor to the church window from a specific vantage point on Union Street.
The design of the scooped façade has allowed the building to be extended out in front of the church through a symbiotic relationship that protects and enhances the prominence and visibility of the church whilst providing a one-of-a-kind office headquarters.
It was important for us to honour the cultural and historic context of the area, and respect the neighbouring church building, ensuring its visibility and reverence.
The resulting building is a carefully orchestrated balance, allowing its neighbours to shine, whilst also shining itself and adding to the vibrant architectural cultural variety of the area.
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