Waterside
Waterside, the new corporate headquarters for Marks & Spencer, comprises 13 levels of accommodation, including plant and parking facilities at basement level. Large triangular floor plates provide good levels of daylight and oblique views along the canal. The forms are cut back in plan to create simple, contained external spaces fronting onto the canal that benefit from increased levels of sunlight. Public pedestrian ramps provide a natural route from North Wharf Road, through the lower ground level to these new spaces.
The building comprises served space – the main occupied floor plates – with servant spaces providing the essential support that allows the flexible office floors to function.
City and Context
The design for Paddington Waterside forms part of an overall masterplan for ten acres of largely vacant and underused land to the north of Paddington Basin, which terminates the Grand Union Canal. Strategically the site is at the heart of the largest designated regeneration area in Central London, within walking distance of excellent public transport connections.
Public Realm
Two landscaped public plazas, completely open to the public, are created on the east and west sides of the building, fronting directly onto the Basin with access to the retail facilities at ground level.
Legibility
The offices (served space) and service towers (servant space) are clearly expressed as separate legible elements. The stairwells with yellow steel stairs and the main scenic lifts are fully glazed and are visible from the interior and exterior of the building.
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