The Vortex

At the intersection of the pedestrian routes is a vertical device designed to draw the eye upwards. The 'Vortex' is a circular atrium bringing natural light into the heart of the arcade - where once was a dark unwelcoming interior, will be a dramatic space bringing light into the core of the building.

Visually, the 'Vortex' is both a spatial intervention in the building and the desire path escalators, crisscrossing as they move from floor to floor. The open space of the 'Vortex' is designed to be dynamic, one of movement and interest, creating visual linkages between floors. It creates an awareness that there is more happening on the other floors, inviting one upwards to explore - in essence sucking traffic up into the building - as its name suggests.

On the first floor a circular gallery runs around the 'Vortex', with shopping radiating around this core. The circular layout of the units gives display frontage to all passing traffic through the 'Vortex', again maximizing exposure. The circular gallery also lends itself to one wishing to pause for a casual browse on their way through the building. The gallery opens to full height glazing overlooking the Bridge Street, bringing in natural light in addition to that brought in from the atrium, enhancing the shopping experience ­and in turn reducing lighting costs.

The crisscrossing escalators are designed not only to create a sense of dynamism and movement within the 'Vortex', but are so laid out to create a pause in upward travel at the circular gallery, where visitors traverse the gallery to ascend the next escalator giving further exposure to the merchandise and services on display.