Derwent_Brunel Building

Pre-evaluation

Derwent’s commissions for ZZA to pre-evaluate its major projects from the perspective of future users included the 17-storey Brunel Building completed in 2019.

Facing Paddington Station, the 22,590 sq m building rises from its site right by the Grand Union canal, past the Bishop’s Bridge which skirts the building’s northern elevation at a level above. These site conditions afford the building prominent visibility, from the station, road, and beyond.

Designed by Fletcher Priest Architects with a striking exoskeleton, Brunel Building addresses this context with striking presence, whilst the internal space affords a light-filled, fluid user experience, and panoramic views.

Applying our research knowledge, ZZA appraised the scheme from design information prior to its construction, via a suite of bespoke questions that we formulated, focusing on the building, its immediate and wider setting, and including the vantage points of business leaders, office users, visitors and asset managers.