The iconic Economist Building was designed in the early 1960’s by infamous architects Alison and Peter Smithson. Now known as Smithson Tower, it along with the other buildings and plaza are Grade II* Listed and are considered a modernist masterpiece in the heart of historic Mayfair. These classic octagonal layouts typically had circulation around a single central core serving individual offices; the partitions of which in turn aligned with the perimeter façade columns, clad in Portland Stone. 

The strip out around the central core offered unparalleled 360° views, and the foundation for a great 21st century open plan proposal. This condition informed initial thoughts and discussions with the client, who appreciated and wished to retain this open plan nature, whilst also requiring privacy and acoustic separation for meeting rooms and between various operational spaces. Office and workplace design has significantly moved away from the individual cellular spaces around the perimeter of the original 1960’s building layout, to more mixed and collaborative zones. 

Conceptually, the strategy was to maintain both internal openness and dynamic views to the surrounding city, whilst also celebrating and reflecting the contextual uniqueness of the classic layout. The strong structural grid of the existing building and columns logically subdivides each of the eight zones. The corner spaces with their diagonal, dual aspect façades, provide a distinct spatial quality and historically housed corner offices – often for executives. Low level joinery or ‘pens’ had also originally lined and accentuated this unique geometrical condition. 

The proposal establishes a distinct horizontal datum at cill level, below which textured, solid elements subdivide each of these zones, also lining the perimeter providing storage, concealing services and protection for the air handling units. Above this datum, the existing white framing of the glazing is conceptually and simply replicated, where necessary, providing a deep threshold framing views between spaces. 

Further historical research revealed an early concept sketch design undertaken by the Smithson’s, of a diagonally gridded ceiling plan that sought to connect column and mullion locations to their counterpart on the perpendicular elevation at a 45° angle. Junctions where these diagonals met the core featured angular internal feature columns. This diagonal concept became a key design feature delineating spaces and connecting spaces across the plan. The octagonal plan form is replicated (internally) as floor finishes help to draw the eye across multiple spaces and blur any distinct thresholds between zones to maintain the open plan nature. At key junctions, angular internal columns or ‘anchor points’ resolve the interchange between expressed circulation element, low level joinery, high level frames and large pivot doors between spaces.