Architect and Builder Dec 2017 / Jan 2018 | Page 77

The technology and structure of the building
is expressed in the design aesthetic and not
hidden from the public eye. In No 5 Silo the
construction and technological elements are
also openly expressed. Brick and block walls
and concrete pillars are left in their natural state
and un-clad and unrendered within the public
space. Once you move away from the public
spaces the finishes become more refined and
controlled to accommodate requirements of the
corporate tenants.
The retention of raw finishes placed additional
pressure on WBHO, the main contractor, to ensure
that the poured concrete shuttering and brickwork
was of a high end finish. In the case of the PwC
interior design, an effort was made to echo the
No 5 Silo
natural finishes of the public space through the
decision to leave the circular structural columns in
their raw state throughout the design and expose
the concrete wherever possible. The structure of the
building is contrasted against the white or colourful
rendered surfaces elsewhere in the office space.
A strong relationship between the architectural
design team and the interior designers allowed
the design of the building and the requirements
of the client, PwC, to evolve simultaneously. For
example, the early collaboration meant that PwC’s
requirement for a reception area as part of the
top floor space planning was incorporated into
the structure. One of the bridges spanning the
atrium was e xtended to accommodate access to
the additional reception area.
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