A colossal copper hull gleaming under the London sky. That’s The Ark. This isn’t Noah’s Ark though. This is a 10-story office building a marvel of 1990s architecture.
Designed by the brilliant Ralph Erskine The Ark stands proudly near the Hammersmith Flyover. Erskine a Stockholm-based British architect collaborated with other architects to create this unique structure. It was quite a feat. The building started construction the same day it received planning permission in 1989. It opened in 1992.
The Ark’s initial design was intended for a single occupant. A large central atrium was a key feature. This atrium however ironically became a problem. The building lay empty for many years after its completion. This is because the interior layout made it difficult to find multiple tenants. Its unique internal design made finding tenants challenging.
The story doesn’t end there. In 2006 The Ark was sold. A massive £20 million renovation project transformed the building. The central village and walkways were removed. Two smaller atriums replaced the original large one. The changes turned the doughnut-shaped plan into a pretzel. A new fifth and sixth floor were added. The seventh floor was extended. The result? 30% more usable space.
The Ark remained empty until 2009. Finally in 2012 it acquired a new tenant. This marked the end of a long period of vacancy. The transformation has made The Ark a sought-after space. It’s now a bustling hub of activity. The Ark is more than just an office building. It’s a testament to architectural vision resilience and successful transformation. A true London landmark.