黑洞社区

In 1991 the Ark was built. Less concerned with livestock than its Biblical namesake, this office building has become a prominent landmark in west London, writes Hollie Tye. But the building鈥檚 unusual toroidal shape - its first five floors being larger than the one below - along with the physical restrictions of the site, meant its construction wasn鈥檛 plain sailing.

黑洞社区鈥檚 Matthew Coomber reported: 鈥淭he London Ark鈥檚 striking shape is not the only aspect of the building that will make it a landmark. For Swedish project manager Ake Larson, handling all aspects of the 拢33.5m building鈥檚 construction, it also represents a strong statement of intent. For as well as adopting innovative design and construction management techniques, the firm is to take one floor in the finished building as its UK headquarters.

鈥淭he Ark has been so named because of its resemblance to a land-locked boat - an impression reinforced by the brick piers as its base which look like the props used to support a vessel in a dry dock. The need for something so unusual is explained by the surroundings the new building has to compete against.

鈥淎side from having to cope with noise and vibration from the adjacent major road and Underground lines, and being beneath one of Heathrow鈥檚 approach routes, the building is set in an extremely tight location.鈥�