HIGH LEVELS DIAMOND SHAPED FACADE (TYPE 3)
Stonecutter Court

To achieve this strict geometry, each façade component is bespoke designed according to the specific directions of each unit. This results in differing aluminium extrusion profiles and gaskets for each joint, even within a single unit. The glass panels, in addition to being cut into precise triangular or trapezoidal shapes, are staggered between the inner and outer panes to reduce joint width and maximise the glazed surface area.

The choice of spandrel cladding, interior finishes and ceiling design was coordinated with the architect and client to ensure adequate heat dissipation from the glazing, avoiding thermal shock, especially on sun-facing inclined panes and, thereby, minimising the need for additional glass treatments, preserving maximum transparency.

The two main challenges of this façade were the design of the gaskets - with special vulcanised components welded at the triangular joints to reduce potential weak points - and the development of a dedicated installation method. This included a predefined sequence for each unit and a bespoke bracket system designed to allow adjustments in all directions while maintaining the correct inclination. Special brackets were developed to suit triangular or trapezoidal cells accordingly.

Stonecutter Court
TP Bennett
TP Bennett

Founded in 1921 by Thomas Penberthy Bennett, it has rapidly grown into a leading architectural practice, having established a reputation for innovative design and technical excellence.

TP Bennett believes that one solution rarely fits all. Their approach embraces diversity, allows individual expression and ensures that design solutions are environmentally responsive and appropriate to context, culture and climate. It is important for the practice to discuss sustainable issues with clients at the earliest possible opportunity in the design process.
They work in a constant dialogue with every figure of the project: from clients to contractors and end-users. Open discussions and a ‘no-ego’ approach to design characterized their work. TP Bennett adopts a concept-led approach to design in order to ensure that the design DNA is preserved from feasibility through to completion. According to the architects, great design is about achieving a balance and tension between creativity and practicality and a smart problem solving attitude.

In 2017 TP Bennett was ranked number 9 in the AJ 100 survey, the Architect’s Journal ranking of the largest architectural practices in the UK, measured by the number of qualified architects employed. Furthermore, seven buildings designed by this practice have achieved “Listed Building” status, signifying that they are of ‘special architectural or historic interest’ on the national register.

Stonecutter Court

Stonecutter Court

The redevelopment of Stonecutter Court provides a new dynamic, high quality office space.

Project Specs

Location: London
Client: CO-RE / Allianz and Ivanhoé Cambridge JV
Contractor: Mace Ltd
Year of completion: 2025

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Stonecutter Court
Stonecutter Court

Technology

Stonecutter Court

  • Unitized SSG system with fixed DGU vision glazing with solar control coating and external GRC and aluminum fins.
  • Unitized diamond grid SSG system with insulated with DGU vision glazing with solar control coating.
  • Stick System diamond grid with bespoke aluminum profile and DGU vision glazing with solar control coating.
  • Stick System with DGU vision glazing with solar control coating.
  • Stone cladding (beams and columns)

HIGH LEVELS DIAMOND-SHAPED FACADE (TYPE 3)

Unitized façade with triangular and trapezoidal units featuring structurally bonded double-glazed units.
The diamond shape is defined by complex geometric rules with vertical and horizontal directions repeating every four floors. Within each four-floor band, all the units are different, alternating between interlocking triangles and trapezoids. The units also feature a slight deviation from vertical (of approximately 2°), alternating inwards and outwards between adjacent horizontal units and every two vertical units. This accentuates the façade's three-dimensional diamond-like appearance.

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Stonecutter Court

Designed by

TP Bennett
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Live Project

Stonecutter Court project is the redevelopment of a complex corner site at 1 Stonecutter Court and 81 Farringdon Street. It consists of a 13-story office scheme, providing over 250,000 sq ft of Grade A office space The building is arranged over two basement levels, ground, podium, and include six roof terraces.

The appearance and materials have been carefully chosen to reflect the local area’s history and indeed future and ensure the amenities respond to new tech, creative and city commerce that are all attracted to this fast-changing mid-town location - increasingly popular location. This new building is designed to reflect the needs of the area’s diverse occupier base, and it benefits from efficient floor plates with great natural light, indoor and outdoor amenity spaces.

The site presents several challenges. It sits near the 18th century Hoop & Grapes, a Grade II listed Public House and secluded courtyard. It is also near the Fleet Street conservation area and subject to strategic viewing restrictions to St. Paul’s Cathedral. The design is sensitive to the heritage of the site and marries high quality with socially responsible and sustainable construction. As part of the scheme, the courtyard space has also been relocated and re-purposed to allow greater accessibility by the public, creating a rich green garden, a pavilion coffee shop and restaurant, adding new life to the area with a vibrant streetscape.

The development will benefit from state-of-the-art energy conservation methods including a highly efficient heating system, enhanced insulation, and solar panels covering 2,700 square feet. In line with Ivanhoé Cambridge’s commitment to reduce carbon emissions, the Stonecutter Court redevelopment will set ambitious ESG targets and work with globally recognised organisations to achieve BREEAM New Construction Excellent and WELL Core and Shell Gold certifications.

Other Façade Systems

Stonecutter Court

Main Façade (Type 1-2)

The primary system consists of structurally glazed units with external GFRC and aluminium fins and spandrels.
The glazed portion comprises an aluminium frame with custom profiles and high-performance glass, offering excellent thermal and acoustic insulation. Particular attention was given to the design of the "shadow box" detail at slab level. Behind the upper glass panel, a sheet metal and mineral wool panel was inserted, with specific measures to maintain a controlled temperature, ensuring the performance of the insulating glazing unit. In the units on the lower floors, the opaque part – in continuity with the natural stone featured on the ground floor façade – consists of projecting GFRC beams and columns, pre-installed within the unit using slim, braced substructures to ensure maximum stability while keeping the system as lightweight and efficient as possible. In the upper units, where the façade extends beyond the surrounding buildings and aligns ideally with the more contemporary architecture of the City, the opaque portion changes: it is made up of so-called "letterboxes" in oxidised aluminium, featuring a distinctive triangular shape. These elements create large frames, four storeys high and up to 12 metres wide, repeated across all elevations. For both systems, it was essential to develop solutions that ensured near-perfect alignment of all opaque elements across the façade, introducing micro-adjustment systems that allowed for on-site fine-tuning where needed. The requirement to achieve high-quality aesthetics from within the building also guided the choice of materials and finishes for the internal components of the units – in particular, the opaque metal panels, which were specified in oxidised aluminium to match the finish of the profiles as closely as possible.

Low level diamond-shaped façade (Type 5)

Toggle stick-system with custom T-shaped aluminium profiles and double-glazed units. This façade spans the entire ground floor of the main elevation. Each structural bay consists of a vertically inclined bow window, sloping outward below the spandrel and receding above, forming a single large diamond interrupted by a central stone band. The entire façade is cut at the base to follow the sloping pavement, with glass panels reaching over 8 metres in height at the lowest pavement point, uninterrupted by joints. The geometric complexity and the architectural intent to recreate a classic English bow window led to the use of the same profile for both mullions and transoms, with specific solutions for connections and drainage. The profiles are CNC-machined with highly precise three-dimensional cuts and are interconnected with steel brackets. The interlinked geometry of each "window" required bespoke designed brackets that allow for slab movements while keeping the façade assembly in position. Each bay is framed by a portal consisting of Portuguese Moca Creme natural stone, cut into curved forms and engraved to reproduce the triangular motif characteristic of the entire building. Each portal is divided into sections consisting of a steel substructure with the stone cladding fixed to it and pre-assembled in the workshop to reduce on-site activities and speed up installation.

Stonecutter Court
Stonecutter Court

Photos

©Dirk Lindner

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