11-21 Canal Reach // Bennetts Associates

Text description provided by the architects.

11-21 Canal Reach is the largest and most significant office development to date for King’s Cross Central Limited Partnership. The contemporary building provides 400,000 sq ft of modern office space with flexible floorplates and is now the primary office location for Meta employees in the UK. The development is divided into four large facets that follow the curve of the site.

© Bennetts Associates

© Bennetts Associates

It is heavily influenced by the industrial heritage of the extensive railway development on its western boundary. The building’s distinctive façade features two layers: a cladding of bronzed anodised aluminium panels sits behind bronze anodised aluminium louvres that are perforated. Together, they reflect the building’s scale and emphasise the curved perspectives along Canal Reach in both distant and near views.Sustainability has been integral to the project from start to completion.

© Bennetts Associates

© Bennetts Associates

The building utilises passive design principles wherever possible and digital modelling was carried out on the façade to refine the shading requirements for each block in an iterative process. In addition to an embodied carbon assessment, the building has been awarded a BREEAM ‘Outstanding’ rating, exceeding its original target. The full Embodied Carbon data of 11-21 Canal Reach can be downloaded here.Topped with verdant roof terraces to promote wellbeing for the Meta employees.

© Bennetts Associates

© Bennetts Associates

The expansive views over central London will feature planting schemes inspired by mature ‘meadow’ gardens, wildflowers and tree-scapes that will contribute to the biodiversity of the area..

© Bennetts Associates

© Bennetts Associates

11-21 Canal Reach Gallery