One Pancras Square, King’s Cross

A striking gateway to the King’s Cross development

One Pancras Square is a freestanding office building, which faces the public area between Kings Cross and St Pancras International, at the gateway to the King’s Cross development.

It is approximately 55,120 sq ft and has eight floors. The ground floor accommodates two retail units, a lobby and entrance to London Underground. The upper levels provide support-free open office spaces of generous height arranged around two central cores. Balconies supported by freestanding columns are located on the south of the building, providing external space for each floor.

Project details

Client
Argent LLP
Architect
David Chipperfield/BAM Design
Structures
Adams Kara Taylor/BAM Design
Services Engineer
Grontmij/BAM Design
Quantity Surveyor
Davis Langdon/AECOM

55119 sq ft

Grade A space

396

cast iron façade columns

BREEAM

outstanding score

Passive

design techniques utilised

A distinctive cast iron column façade

396 cast-iron columns stand at regular intervals across the façades adding character and depth to the post and beam construction. Cast by a foundry in Halifax with a surface pattern of woven straps, the columns are a reminder of the site’s industrial past and a nod to Gottfried Semper’s theory about the role of weaving in the evolution of man-made structures.

Utilising passive design techniques

Sustainability has been integral to the design of One Pancras Square. Passive design techniques were explored thoroughly by the project team. Their selection of increased floor-to ceiling-heights, exposed concrete floor slabs, user controlled openable facades and optimised glazing to solid ratios offer significant benefits. Sophisticated dynamic thermal modelling and natural ventilation modelling was carried out to inform these passive design options. The building is rated BREEAM ‘Outstanding’ and is linked to the site-wide district heating network.

An award winning scheme

One Pancras Square is an awarding winning building and has received the Civic Trust Award: Special Award for Sustainability, RIBA London Regional Award, RIBA Regional Award for Architecture, RIBA National Award for Architecture and a London Architecture Award for 'Office Building'.

“The plans for Globe Point are very impressive indeed – this promises to be a landmark development in one of the city’s most exciting areas. It’s gratifying to see energy efficiency and other environmental considerations playing an important role in the building’s design, along with tech capacity and internet connectivity. A project of this scale and ambition is a major boost for our efforts to deliver increased job opportunities for people across the city through the regeneration of Temple and the wider South Bank.”

Tom Riordan Chief Executive of Leeds City Council