Architect firm Allford Hall Monaghan Morris has revealed designs for the new £650 million headquarters of online giant Google.
The one million ft sq site will be the focal point of a new 67-acre development at King's Cross, featuring 725,000 sq ft of office space and 50,000 sq ft of retail opportunity.
The eleven-storey tower is designed to be as sustainable as possible, and the designs have been sent to Camden Council for full approval. The internal structure of the tower will have a cross laminate of timber and a steel frame, allowing the building to be more sustainable; the firm hopes to achieve both BREEAM Outstanding and LEED Platinum sustainability certifications. Externally, the building will consist of steel columns, low-iron glass, painted steel, and pre-cast concrete panels.
Simon Allford, director of Allford Hall Monaghan Morris, said: “This building is underpinned by cutting edge design intelligence and technologies to provide a sophisticated 21st century working environment for Google’s staff. The architectural approach, which has taken inspiration from King’s Cross and St Pancras International railway stations, complements the local area’s strong industrial heritage and will be a building London can be proud of.”
In March 2013, it emerged that BAM Construct had secured the £300 million contract for the project, having pipped Skanska, Balfour Beatty and Carillion to the post for the win. It is hoped that 1,500 new construction jobs will be created through the scheme.
Pending planning approval, construction is scheduled to begin in early 2014, with an expected completion date by 2017.