Synopsis
The paper describes how the Bulgari Hotel and Residences was designed and constructed on a highly constrained site in Knightsbridge, London.
The building is of particular note because it demonstrates how the potential of a relatively small site has been maximised. This was achieved by constructing a six storey basement and an 11 storey superstructure, while taking into account the constraints generated by adjacent buildings, busy streets, pedestrian thoroughfares and surrounding infrastructure. The resulting design has one of the highest basement depth-to-footprint area ratios in London. Design strategies adopted to provide large column free areas at ground level and in the basement are explained. In addition, the measures used to meet the client’s aspirations to construct a ‘green’ building, built to challenging cost and programme targets, are described.