Make Architects is making a big impact in London with their latest highrise venture. Dubbed Atlas, the heart of the development includes a 152-metre residential building that will be the tallest in the Tech City district of East London, with a blade-like massing that creates an innovative stepped silhouette.
Developed by Rocket Investments, the 40-storey sculptural tower owes its verticality to the slim and staggered architectural fins that draw the eye skyward and minimize the impact on the skyline. "Atlas appears to taper, creating a positive way of ending the form against the sky," said Ken Shuttleworth of Make Architects. "The steps stretch the profile and make the structure more elegant."
The building's 302 apartments come with private balconies and are augmented by a wide array of amenities, including a naturally lit fitness centre, spacious pool and steam room, private screening room, lounge area, business centre, and children's play space. More than 35 percent of the property's footprint has been set aside for use as open, publicly accessible space. A piazza between the tower and the complementary nine-storey office building will be animated by a diverse range of shops and cafes at their respective bases.
Due to complete at the end of 2018, construction crews reached the 50-metre mark in mid-March. Images from the site show the distinct floor plate taking shape above the streets of London, but no cladding has yet been applied to the concrete structure. The area around the Silicon roundabout, a mere minutes' stride away, has undergone rapid economic and upward growth in recent years. But Atlas is the largest project to date, one that will become a defining landmark in the ever-expanding skyline of the city.
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