Nova, Victoria
Architect/Designer:
Benson + Forsyth, PLP Architecture, Flanagan Lawrence Architects and Lynch Architects
Client:
Land Securities
Main Contractor:
Mace
Stonework Contractor:
Szerelmey
Portland Stone:
Bowers Whitbed
Scope of Project:
External cladding to the redevelopment of the formerly known Victoria Circle in London’s West End as part of Land Securities’ £2.2 billion re-invention of the area
An architecturally striking development on a grand scale, creating a new link between Victoria Station, Buckingham Palace and the Royal Parks, Nova is an 897,000 square feet mixed use scheme at the heart of London’s prestigious West End. Nothing of this scale and potential has been delivered in this part of the West End before.
The comprehensive transformation of this 5.5 acre island site is the defining moment in Land Securities £2.2 billion re-invention of Victoria.
Architects Benson + Forsyth specified Bowers Whitbed as they wanted to use the same stone that was successfully used on one of their previous projects, the prestigious National Gallery of Ireland.
Throughout the stone procurement process, the project team kept in close contact with Albion Stone for technical advice. Following a visit to Albion Stone’s quarry and mine to view the Portland Stone extraction operations, a stone range for the project was agreed using Albion Stone’s large sample panels. Approximately 4,300m² of Bowers Whitbed was supplied as 75mm thick cladding panels.
The north and south ends of the building feature 8 storey high “flying walls” which cantilever from the building façade with a “weightless” appearance. Albion Stone provided a crucial solution for the challenging fixing system by creating a hidden recess in the top and the bottom of each stone, so Szerelmey’s bespoke bracketry solution could be accommodated. This ensured the bracketry was not visible behind the open jointing.
Construction of Nova, Victoria started in June 2013 and is due to complete in March 2017.
"All the stone was cut and prepared by Albion and installed by Szerelmey. The finished job is quite superb. The curved wall at the way through the building is in itself a minor masterpiece in terms of the perfection of its fabrication and installation. Gordon and I could not be more delighted and we want to thank you and, through you, to thank our team for the contribution that Albion has made to the external appearance of the building. We are most grateful." Alan Forysth, Benson+Forsyth LLP
As a fourth generation family business, Albion Stone takes pride in its knowledgeable and dedicated workforce. By combining traditional craftsmanship with modern manufacturing techniques, we produce Portland Stone of the highest quality while minimising our environmental impact.
