Renzo Piano Building Workshop - London Bridge Tower

London

London Bridge Tower is a high-rise, mixed use development in the central London borough
of Southwark, by the river Thames. Located adjacent to London Bridge Station, it will be a
modern solution to adding density to the city centre, taking advantage of one of Londons
major public transport hubs.
The tower is designed to be a sharp and light presence in skyline. Its shape is generous at
the bottom and narrow at the top, disappearing in the air like the mast of a tall ship. The
intuitive response to the site is to build a tower like a spire or a shard, a natural structural
shape, particularly relevant to the unique skyline of London.
The height of the tower (1016 ft, or 306 meters) resulted more from the desire and
necessity to create an elegantly proportioned tower rather than for being the tallest
building in Europe.
Up to 7,000 people will work and live in this vertical town of sixty six floors. As a mixed use
building with shops, museum, offices, restaurants, hotel and residential accommodation it
enriches the community and its surroundings with round-the-clock activities. Essentially
public in character, the building will belong to Londoners.
A modern building must be sustainable from all points of view: human, technological,
energetic and economic. 30% less energy will be required than for a conventional tall
building through the extensive use of the latest conservation and recycling techniques and
materials. A ventilated double skin faade will considerably reduce heat gain and increase
comfort close to the facade. Excess heat from the offices will be used to heat the hotel and
apartments and any additional excess heat will be dissipated naturally through a radiator at
the top of the tower. Winter gardens with operable louvre windows will be located on each
floor allowing the occupants to connect with the outside world.
Gently lifted off the ground, only the central core anchors the building to the site. This
allows the maximum amount of space to be given over to public functions and to the
station concourse. A lightweight glass canopy gives protection from the elements and
provides a link between the surrounding rail and bus stations and Guys Hospital.

Height: 1016 ft - 306 meters

Client: Sellar Property Group