A new civic space for New Scotland Yard

Gillespies has designed the public realm for New Scotland Yard, the Metropolitan Police’s recently relocated headquarters set in a prominent position on the Victoria Embankment.

Won in competition by architects AHMM, the new £60m headquarters has successfully remodelled and extended the neo-classical Curtis Green Building into a contemporary setting for the Metropolitan Police that will showcase the work of the force as well as providing state-of-the-art office accommodation.

Gillespies – who were part of the original competition team – were briefed to develop proposals to open up the existing enclosed space to create a bold public face for the client.

Located to the north of AHMM’s elegant curved glass entrance pavilion, the landscaped civic space – home to the famous revolving Scotland Yard sign - is characterised by a striking natural stone ‘carpet’ that references the distinctive striped brickwork of Norman Shaw’s adjacent North building. The space provides an inviting and peaceful landscape that acts as a buffer between the public and private realms. The paving continues beneath the glass pavilion, extending the conceptual square to the south. 

Photography copyright of AHMM/Timothy Soar