Listen to the managing director of a large engineering company describing a new building which they have designed, together with

Our Firm, together with the well-known architect Robert Lee, has just completed work on designing and building a very modern office block. It’s a 50,000 square meters block. Just imagine, 50,000 square meters! But this isn’t all. The traditional outside walls of the block -usually in the form of concrete with small glass windows have all been replaced by glass walls.
    Each wall takes the form of a huge triple— glazed wall of glass on the inside of the building. It will also reduce any bright or strong sunlight. In this way, the office block has been made as comfortable as possible for everyone working in it.
    The walls themselves have been designed by Stephen Hill, London’s leading architect. He was specially asked by the government to keep energy costs as low as possible in the building. As a result of the new and revolutionary use of the glass walls, these traditional high costs and air-conditioning costs during the hot season will be reduced to a minimum.
    Fixed inside the gap between the three sheets of glass are unique blinds. These blinds are controlled by small motors, and they move automatically so they reflect the sun’s rays at different times of the day. The blinds also absorb the heat energy of the sun. This heat energy is then removed by natural currents of air in the gap between the glass walls. As a result, at a very small cost indeed, these walls and the gap between them create a pleasant environment at all times throughout the year, despite the weather outside.
    All the lighting inside the building is checked and controlled automatically, the natural light through the glass is used as much as possible. This helps to reduce the headaches and eyestrain which so many office-workers experience while trying to concentrate or work hard.
    The office-block is owned by a business group in Melrose and the letting agents are Peter Mao and Partners. Already 70 out of the 120 offices have been let.