14 Westfield Avenue
A distinctive climate-resilient workplace for HM Revenue & Customs
Stratford, London, UK
The new headquarters of HMRC, 14 Westfield Avenue is a distinctive two-tower commercial development in Stratford City, seamlessly integrated with a Gillespies-designed public realm. Elevated above the city, its private, sheltered rooftop gardens promote well-being and climate-responsive design, creating a tranquil retreat in the City.
Unlocking new space for people and nature to thrive
Situated in a prime location between the Westfield Stratford City Shopping Centre and the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, 14 Westfield Avenue is a commercial development consisting of two towers (Building A and B), designed by architects SimpsonHaugh for leading client Westfield Europe Limited.
The development is topped by two 850m² rooftop gardens and a series of biodiverse roofs designed by Gillespies. Sheltered by a double-height glazed perimeter screen, the Building A roof terrace provides an ‘oasis’ on the roof where staff can sit, work and socialise while enjoying outstanding views of the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and the London skyline beyond.
On the completed Building A, a large, open area occupies the central position, offering flexibility for staging a range of wellness and corporate events, such as yoga, dinners and large corporate meetings. The space is boarded on both sides by a combination of soft and hard landscaping that forms a series of ‘garden rooms’ for smaller gatherings, with pockets of planting and seating.
The roof gardens have been designed with a focus on wellness and climate resilience. They include a mosaic of naturalistic planting consisting of robust, drought-tolerant planting that will mature over time and increase the biodiversity and ecology credentials of the site. The selected planting mix has several environmental benefits: they remain lush and green throughout the year, require less supplemental watering, absorb more surface water, and require less maintenance.
The future ground floor associated with Building B works includes a pocket courtyard garden, designed for its relationship with both buildings forming a verdant woodland garden while also accommodating a cycle commuter hub with a potential café and bike fixing station.
Project details
Title
14 Westfield Avenue
Client
Westfield Europe Limited
Status
Complete
Project team
SimpsonHaugh, Walsh Associates Building Services, HDR Hurley Palmer Flatt, Eckersley O'Callaghan, Jensen Hughes JGA, David Bonnett Associates, WSP, DP9
Gillespies team
Armel Mourgue, Oliver Duguid, Giacomo Guzzon, Joana Quintas, Emily Sutherland
Photography
Simon Kennedy