The headquarters of the Arbuthnot Banking Group PLC has been in Wilson Street, London EC2 since November 2014. The entrance of this completely refurbished building,offering 38000 square feet of city office space, features two sets of automated bi-parting doors designed by Open Entrances and featuring Erreka door operators. The cooperation of the two companies was key to the completion of a highly successful project which has clearly demonstrated the ability of Open Entrances to meet fully the design intent of the architect.
66 Wilson Street represents a full and comprehensive refurbishment over five floors, is BREEAM rated Excellent and has been designed to provide maximum daylight. It is noteworthy for its striking interior design features including its spacious reception area, its new lifts, windows and doors and its LG 7 compliant lighting and air conditioning. The key feature of the canopied entrance are the external oversize, 3.3 metres high, fully automated bi-parting linear sliding doors with side screens tp create a truly majestic entrance that welcomes visitors into the building.
Finished in striking, modern anodised bronze, the external doors are not only a contemporary architectural feature in their own right, creating an authentic metallic lustre and feel, but also have the added benefit of high durability, being free from fade.
These doors lead into a vestibule, created as part of the building's energy saving design, and up a set of three steps to the secondary internal linear sliding, stainless steel bi-parting and swing side doors. The desired visual identity for the entrance is further enhanced by matching stainless steel hand rails and door handles, harmonising perfectly with the interior design of the reception area where the main lifts with their own stainless steel door surrounds are a central feature.
The Erreka door operators were selected for their highly reliable operation, precision movement, silent operation and robust design - essential for a such a heavy traffic entrance. The door sensors were upgraded and uniquely configured to meet the operating requirements resulting from the close proximity of the inner and outer entrance doors.
66 Wilson Street stands out as a highly successful project that clearly illustrates the design capabilities of Open Entrances in creating a customised entrance solution to the highest architectural standards, whilst ensuring adherence to practical and energy efficency considerations.
