ONE VINCE STREET, OLD STREET

During the last half-century, Shoreditch has gone from a semi-deserted "side-district" to a worldwide centre of technology innovation. Located between Old Street Station and Shoreditch, a stretch of land known as the "in between" exists. Shortly after the conclusion of the Second World War, the building was reconstructed in an utilitarian architectural shape. At the corner of Vince Street and Old Street, there is a little window of opportunity to reconnect this part of the city.

The building's shape and proportions, as well as the city's skyline, are reflected in the design. As seen in old Shoreditch and Clerkenwell's brick piers and recesses, the verticality of the building is created by thin horizontal bands of Cill and Lintels, which create an interesting composition of minor and major features.

A slightly angled façade extends views to the building's sides under these principal features, while a setback at the base facilitates public access while signalling the nearby stepped-back fire station. Towards the building's apex, the shift in façade orientation pulls back toward City Road's developing skyline. As a result, the bulk of this structure is reduced to a manageable level, and it stands as part of rather than in front of the ever-changing landscape of the city.

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