The Ark, London, Office building in Hammersmith, United Kingdom.
The Ark is an office building in Hammersmith, London, recognizable by its curved, ship-like form and full glass facade. It has ten floors arranged around a central atrium, with two wings linked by elevated walkways that cross over the open interior.
The building was completed in 1992, designed by the Swedish-British architect Ralph Erskine, who was known for putting people and natural light at the center of his work. It was one of his last major projects and stands as an example of the more experimental office architecture that appeared in London during that decade.
The name "The Ark" refers to the building's ship-like silhouette, which is easy to notice when walking or driving past it. The curved glass walls and tapering profile give it an appearance quite different from the typical rectangular office blocks that surround it.
The building stands next to the A4 road in Hammersmith and is within walking distance of Hammersmith station, which is served by several Underground lines. It is a private office building, so access inside is restricted, but the exterior can be seen clearly from the street at any time.
Erskine deliberately oriented the offices away from the motorway noise by wrapping them around the quieter side of the site and using the atrium as a buffer. This approach to noise management through building shape rather than added insulation was uncommon for commercial buildings at the time.
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