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The Helicon JLP01_10_61486
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The Helicon JLP01_10_61486
The Helicon, South Place, Finsbury Pavement, Islington, Greater London. A view towards the ceiling from the ground floor of the glazed central atrium at the Helicon building, Finsbury Pavement, London.
The Helicon was named after the sacred mountain of the muses in Greek mythology and in reference to a bookshop called Temple of the Muses that previously occupied part of the site. Laing began work on the foundations in May 1994 and the project was complete by June 1996. The building is divided between office and retail space, the lower 3 floors are occupied by Marks and Spencer whilst the 6 above are office accommodation. Designed to maximise natural light and be energy efficient the triple glazed curtain walls are vented in summer to allow cooling through air circulation and closed in winter to provide insulation. An automated system of metal louvres within the curtain wall close and open in response to the sun to regulate temperatures inside the building. The post-tension technique of construction of the concrete frame allowed the size of the columns and depth of floor slabs to be reduced and maximise usable floor space. The building won a CONSTRUCT Award for Innovation and Best Practice in 2000. The photograph was taken on the day the completed building was handed over to the client
Historic England is the public body that champions and protects England's historic places
Media ID 24672242
© Historic England Archive
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EDITORS COMMENTS
This print showcases the magnificent Helicon building in all its glory. Located in Finsbury Pavement, London, this architectural masterpiece offers a stunning view towards the ceiling from the ground floor's glazed central atrium. The Helicon takes its name from the sacred mountain of muses in Greek mythology and pays homage to a former bookshop called Temple of the Muses that once occupied part of the site. Constructed between May 1994 and June 1996 by Laing, this building seamlessly combines office and retail spaces. Its design prioritizes natural light and energy efficiency, evident through its triple-glazed curtain walls that can be vented during summer for cooling purposes while providing insulation during winter months. An innovative automated system of metal louvres within these walls responds to sunlight, regulating internal temperatures accordingly. The construction technique employed here is noteworthy as well - post-tensioning was used on the concrete frame to reduce column size and maximize usable floor space. This ingenious approach earned The Helicon a CONSTRUCT Award for Innovation and Best Practice in 2000. Captured on an auspicious day when ownership was transferred to the client (not mentioned), this photograph preserves a significant moment in history. It serves as a testament to both human ingenuity and architectural excellence displayed by The Helicon building.
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