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Challenge
The task to provide the required density of accommodation within a slender construction on a narrow site meant that something would be left out, something compromised. By improving the slenderness of the object the resultant areas would decrease rapidly. By improving the efficiency of the floor plate the slenderness would disappear. While the apparent solution indicated some sort of a disaggregated block we felt that the site required a simpler architectural statement. This has been achieved as follows:

Description of Parts - The 3 storey screen
The screen sets up the platform defining this island site. On the northern, western and eastern side of the island the screen opens up to allow access to the main entrance.

Description of Parts - The interlocking ellipses
The key concept for the building is the use of interlocking ellipses to form the base of the tower and using part of one as the main tower. This interlocking allows for balconies, and a varied elevation even within the purity of the form.

Description of Parts - The Tower Element
The tower element is defined by approximately half of one of the ellipses. The curved aspect of the form and its screened elevation reduces the impact of the bulk of the object from all sides. The final arrangement will depend on efficiencies in the se of the floor plate. The most environmentally and functionally vulnerable areas, the North and South end of the plate, are used for circulation and services.

Description of Parts - The gardens and performance spaces
We have introduced a number of balconies and roof gardens for the enjoyment of the offices and the nightclub. One particular innovation is the use of a performance space on the southerly roof of the platform. This could be an appropriate extension to the nightclub and its activities as well as a small-scale facility for performance.

U2 Studio
As per the brief we have provided the studio at the top floor and a private roof garden above with fine views across the whole of the city.

Environment and Materials
The form of the building responds to the technical conditions such a mid rise building may require, such as fire (2 escapes), environmental buffers (North & South elevations), environmental shading to prevent overheating (blade louvers), rounded façade (to reduce wind induced heat loss and turbulence).