One New Change

Architect	Jean Nouvel
Date Built	2010
Location	New Change behind St. Paul's Cathedral
Description
One New Change is a mixed-use development by Land Securities. It provides 20,000 square metres of retail space and 31,500 square metres of offices. As Sian Disson points out in an article in World Architectural News.com, "One New Change experienced something of a rocky start. True to form, staunch traditionalist Prince Charles made his feelings towards the glass and steel hulk clear from an early stage, attempting to have Nouvel thrown off the project when he learnt of the architect’s appointment. Next came a barrage of protests from a forum of local residents brainstorming derogatory titles for the mixed use facility." Jean Nouvel, the building's architect, explains the moivations that guided his design. He says that, "The new concept starts from the principle that there should be passageways within the block to link Cheapside with Watling Street and Bread Street with New Change and bringing about continuity with Bow Bell's church yard. Theses passages create a crossroads at the center of the block. The ambition is to create 21st century arcades, the heritage of arcades like Burlington and Picadilly, and then magnify the importance of the crossing by means of an architectural sign linking them to Wren's Saint Paul's. The sign takes the form of a steel sphere beneath open sky that reflects the image of the Cathedral. The sphere creates light drawing attention from the entrance to each passage. The shops and offices are organized around the arcade crossing, where there is also a panoramic lift giving direct access to the roof terrace"