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Press Office - Press Releases
IPC MEDIA NAMES FUTURE HEADQUARTERS THE BLUE FIN BUILDING
January 6, 2006
The Blue Fin Building is to be the name of IPC Media's future headquarters in Southwark. The name reflects the structure's most prominent architectural feature - the 2,000 blue aluminium fins that cover the building's façade.
The fins, manufactured in Poland, have a metallic finish that changes the building's appearance when viewed from different angles. Specifically placed to reflect the sun at different parts of the day, the fins will provide constant shade inside the building. Designed by award-winning architects Allies and Morrison, The Blue Fin Building will provide an architectural statement to match its world-famous neighbour, Tate Modern. The building will be occupied by IPC - and parent company Time Warner's other UK businesses, Time Life International (publisher of Time and Fortune magazines) and Time Warner Book Group - from April 2007.
Sylvia Auton, IPC Media chief executive, says: “I believe we've chosen a name that not only describes the building's unique appearance, but one that will also be memorable to everyone, from visitors to taxi drivers. The building has many amazing and distinctive design features - the blue fins are without doubt the most eye-catching, and make it instantly recognisable.”
Allies and Morrison architect Tim Makower adds: "The name reflects the most prominent feature of the building – its blue fins. The shadows and reflections created by the fins change shape and direction as the sun moves around the building, marking the time of day in a dynamic way, like a sundial."
The purpose-built building will provide 450,000 square feet of office space over 12 floors and will have a huge central atrium (approximately 59 ft x 118 ft), so spacious IPC's current headquarters, King's Reach Tower, could fit inside it. Time Warner businesses will occupy ten of the 12 floors with around 65,000 square feet being leased through Savills on behalf of IPC. The Blue Fin Building is located at 110 Southwark Street, SE1.
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Editors' notes:
The winning name was selected following a staff competition that attracted more than 300 entries and was suggested by Jann Fabia, art editor of Web User and Claire Dorey, assistant editor in design of Country Homes & Interiors.
Allies and Morrison are based at 85 Southwark Street SE1, across from .
The Blue Fin Building
Allies and Morrison Awards:
Winner: “Up and coming architectural practice of the year” The Building Awards 1997
Winner: “Architectural practice of the year” The Building Awards 2004
RIBA Award 2004 for One Piccadilly Gardens, Manchester
Finalist D&AD Awards 2004 for London College of Communication
Allies and Morrison other office building projects include the BBC Media Village, London W12; Paternoster Square, London EC4M and One Piccadilly Gardens, Manchester.
For further information contact Victoria Higham, senior press officer, IPC Media
Tel: 020 7261 5710 or email victoria_higham@ipcmedia.com
