Architecture Photo of the Day – #142 – Unison
Today’s images for Photo of the Day were supplied to us by architects Squire and Partners, and feature the new HQ for UNISON, the UK’s second largest trade union.
Designed around a concept of teamwork, a representation of the idea of ‘Strength through Unity’, the building’s front facade is dotted with columns, creating a very literal image of support and strength. Running through the site, the theme of unity and togetherness has a constant presence, being used by the design team as a way of tying together the different structural elements to create a harmonious and inclusive site.
“The design of the atrium roof is fundamental to the success of the project in its ability to unite and unify the many different elements of the scheme around the central space. While a glass roof was a logical way to unite the disparate building heights surrounding the central atrium, its construc- tion necessitated resolving the geometries of each separate roof-line – some historic, oth- ers new, all at different heights. The solution was first inspired by the double-helix structure of a single strand of DNA. A generic component model of a strand was generated and manipulated to link all the disparate parapet heights in the building. Even when the members of this complex, faceted three-dimensional shape were determined, every glass panel in its surface needed to be a unique size and shape”, Squire and Partners
