City Hall in London,
designed by Foster+Partners
City Hall, located on the south bank of the Thames near Tower Bridge, is the central administrative point of London. The building was designed by the Foster + Partners office under the direction of Sir Norman Foster and opened in July 2002. Since its opening, the building has served as the headquarters of the city's mayor and members of the Greater London Authority (GLA for short).
City Hall in London - a panoramic view of the city with City Hall and Tower Bridge nearby
photo by Nigel Young © Foster + Partners
City Hall as part of a larger
urban development project
City Hall is part of the larger "More London" urban planning initiative, which aimed to transform the area between Tower Bridge and London Bridge into a modern urban space. The project included the creation of office buildings, retail facilities and green spaces, in accordance with sustainable development principles. The complex aimed not only to revitalize this part of the city, but also to introduce more efficient and ecological architectural and urban planning solutions.
City Hall in London - concept sketch by Norman Foster
© Foster + Partners
a building that has become a symbol of transparency
London City Hall is a project of symbolic importance to the capital, designed as an expression of transparency in democratic processes and an example of a sustainable approach to public architecture. Its distinctive volume, resembling an asymmetrical, tilted form similar to the shape of an egg, encompasses 12,000 square meters of floor space spread over twelve floors, including two underground floors. The building houses a council hall, committee rooms, offices and public spaces.
City Hall in London - the meeting hall was designed to allow residents to observe the work of the Assembly through a glass facade
photo by Nigel Young © Foster + Partners
innovative form
and energy efficiency
The lump of the building was designed on the basis of a geometric sphere, modified using advanced computer modeling technologies. This design reduces the area exposed to direct sunlight, which significantly improves energy efficiency. A variety of shading solutions - both active and passive - have been used on the facade. The south façade was designed with a backward tilt, and the floors set back into the building create natural shading to support the natural ventilation system of the offices.
City Hall in London - a plan of one of the building's twelve floors
© Foster + Partners
space open to residents
City Hall, which faces north toward the Tower of London, was designed to allow residents to observe the work of the Assembly through a glass facade. The top floor of the building is a multi-purpose space for exhibitions and events, while a roof terrace provides expansive views of the city. The first floor has been developed as a public space with a café, offering use of the riverside boulevard.
City Hall in London - an arrangement of elevators and gentle ramps provides accessibility for all building users
Photo: Nigel Young © Foster + Partners
City Hall is equipped with elevators and a system of gentle ramps to ensure full accessibility for users with different mobility needs. A distinctive feature of the interior is a spiral ramp leading to the upper floors, which allows smooth movement between floors and promotes interaction with the building space in an unusual way.
City Hall in London
photo by Nigel Young © Foster + Partners
example of innovative solutions
in architecture
The building's design is based on advanced computer modeling technologies, which enabled an innovative approach to shaping the architectural form. The geometry of the building and its orientation have been carefully planned to achieve high energy efficiency. The design solutions adopted limit the areas exposed to direct sunlight, which reduces heat gain in the summer and minimizes heat loss in the winter season. In addition, the building uses a natural ventilation system, which reduces the need for energy-intensive mechanical systems.
City Hall in London - the body of the building resembles an asymmetrical, tilted form similar to the shape of an egg
Photo: Nigel Young © Foster + Partners
London City Hall exemplifies the integration of modern architecture, principles of sustainability and accessibility of public space, acting as a showcase for the city and responding to the challenges of modern metropolises.
Compiled by Anastazja Dżupina
Illustrations provided courtesy of Foster + Partners studio.
