SOM has been active within the Broadgate business district for three decades, designing several key projects there. The office building, 10 Exchange Square, creates a new, western gateway to the entire complex. Through its design, SOM fulfilled an important urban mission of clarifying and enhancing pedestrian connections between Broadgate and the surrounding neighborhood.
The elegant, wedge-shaped building is constructed of steel and glass. A series of textured, cast-glass walls define walkways that visually direct pedestrians from the street to a mid-block plaza. The lobby provides an alternative, indoor route and makes the overall space feel more expansive. The project’s success was achieved by the clarity of its public space and the quality of its design, reinforcing Broadgate’s status as one of Europe’s premier business locations.