The Point, Paddington Basin, London
2000-2002

The Point is the first building at Paddington Basin completed under Terry Farrell and Partners' masterplan. It comprises 222,000 sq. ft of lettable office space over ten storeys in a wedge shape marking the gateway to Paddington Basin. Located on the western edge of the waterfront adjacent to Paddington Station, this flagship office building sets the high standards to be achieved for the whole of the development.

The building is planned as having two main entrances to accommodate different tenancy options, with a central bank with eight lifts, two of which are feature lifts within a glass atrium. The building also comprises a car lift and lorry lift housed in a separate pavilion providing access to a loading bay/car park plant space basement.

The massing of the building is a response to the site – essentially triangular, with two curved sides to the north and south and two towers, with a recessed entry between, to the east. The ground and lower ground levels have full height glazing, recessed behind a strong colonnade of polished concrete columns.

The two curved facades above this, from levels 1 - 6, comprise full height glazing behind a frame of expressed vertical metal fins, creating a strong vertical rhythm. These fins create an impression of solidity when seen from an oblique angle, whilst providing good views of the Basin for the occupants. Between these fins on the south-side, is a system of timber bris-soliel, providing effective solar control to the office space, while giving the exterior a strong identity.

On the north side the fins hold a 'light-shelf' reflecting light into the office space while maintaining the external expression of the south side. The upper three floors are a 'smooth skin' climate facade in contrast to the more modelled lower floors. The east elevation is a simple composition of two towers, of the same glazing system addressing the adjacent plaza.

TFP were commissioned to design the fit-out and the brief focused on sharing of information. The core concept for this is a volcano. The lower ground floor is the 'magma chamber' of ideas, and the atrium the vertical focus of communication and activity, with ideas fountaining out into the wider world. This energy manifests itself on the outside by a ripple of colour up the centre of the entrance façade, culminating in a coloured glass sculpture on the top.

The regeneration of Paddington Basin under TFP's 1996 masterplan is resulting in the emergence of a vibrant new quarter close to the city and west end and just 15 minutes from Heathrow Airport, via the Heathrow Express, which runs from Paddington Station. Improvements to the canal Basin and surrounding infrastructure include the introduction of a range of mixed uses with cafés, bars, restaurants and retail outlets.