The Mailbox - Birmingham, UK

Architect	Associated Architects
Date Built	Completed 2001
Location	61 Wharfside Street
Description
This former Postal Sorting Office, built in 1970, was reconstructed between 1999 and 2001 to a design by Associated Architects. It has been transformed into a mixed use development including the Malmaison Hotel, a large collection of restaurants, shops and apartments. It is also the Birmingham home of the BBC. The Birmingham Pevsner describes the building as, "reminiscent of a huge Renaissance palazzo: stone base, red rendered elevation with tall windows hinting at pilasters, big central entrance up steps, dark metal and glass attic. Inside the impression is confirmed by a long narrow open courtyard, constrained by the steel grid of the sorting office." The architects say of it that, " The design approach includes utilising the canal cooling system that we first designed, as well as displacement ventilation, raised floors and new elevations with full height glazing and a mezzanine meeting room area."