jean nouvel: one new change, london construction underway

one new change by jean nouvel image courtesy one new change

construction for french architect jean nouvel‘s ‘one new change’ project has begun by the developer land securities. the competition winning design which was first shown in 2005, combines approximately 220 000 square feet of retail space with 350 000 square feet of offices.

the building stirred up controversy when plans were first released where by prince charles unsuccessfully tried preventing nouvel’s scheme from realization.

planning restrictions such as limiting height were taken into consideration, so the building would not interfere with the sight lines surrounding st paul’s cathedral. one new change’s fritted glass features varying shades of red, grey, and beige to evoke neighboring facades diminishes the reflectivity that local authorities feared would distract from sir christopher wren’s masterpiece.

in further tribute to st paul’s the building volume splits around its east – west axis, creating an outdoor courtyard that looks to the cathedral.

the building is expected to be completed this time next year.

one new change entrance image courtesy one new change

image courtesy one new change

image courtesy one new change

initial sketches of one new change image courtesy one new change

site plan image courtesy one new change