The Royal Bank of Scotland Group required a world headquarters to accommodate its future development as an international bank, incorporating a head office and executive accommodation, located alongside RBSG support functions.
This new office provides a ‘world class’ facility for the Client.
The design provides a ‘world class’ facility for RBSG. Set in its own landscaped campus-style grounds, it consists of a world headquarters building comprising six office pavilions and an executive pavilion with entrance hall focused on an internal street; together with ancillary accommodation and the potential for two further office developments. The internal street, enclosed by an elegant steel and glass structure, provides facilities such as a retail bank, convenience food outlets, a grocery store and restaurants. The ancillary facilities include a conference and training centre, nursery, leisure centre and staff club with additional services such as doctor, dentist and hairdresser. The landscape incorporates the hydrology and surface water attenuation without affecting, possibly even enhancing, its visual impact.
The main access to the site is via a new loop bridge over the A8. The bridge approach roads are formed using reinforced earth embankments. A main diagonal arch with an asymmetrical arrangement of rods supports the bridge deck provides a delicate form that it intended as an aesthetic statement for the RBSG. The bridge has been positioned taking into account the local road network, existing trees, new Bank property and the radar signature from Edinburgh Airport, as well as normal bridge design considerations.