Built on the disused site of a former garage, effectively derelict since it was bombed in the Second World War, 85 Southwark Street is now the studios of Allies and Morrison. The six-storey building (of basement workshops, ground floor reception and exhibition space, three studio floors and roof terrace) occupies a curiously asymmetric plan. Its shape is the outcome of the creation of Bazelgette’s Southwark Street to the north, cutting diagonally across the pre-existing Victorian street pattern, leaving the remnant of Farnham Place to the south. At its northwest point an alley links the two streets providing a shortcut through the over long urban block bounded by Great Suffolk Street and Guildford Street. This alley, controlled by two sliding metal screens, separates a cafe and bar from the main reception space and links the series of planned lanes to Union Street with a new street to the north leading to Tate Modern and ultimately to St Paul’s. The ground floor is used as a cafe – owned by the practice, exhibition space and discussion area. A steel spiral stair leads to the triple-height studio atrium above and the basement accommodating modelmaking, print room, library and IT workshop. The difference in orientation and urban grain is reflected in the cross sectional organisation and elevational composition. To the south, facing the quieter Farnham Place, a rendered, stepped facade with openable windows encloses the three-storey atrium which links the design studio floors. This folded facade, set diagonally against the main grain of the plan, has planted terraces at each horizontal level and lighting at each vertical face. Morning sunlight is allowed to light the atrium without falling on desks and computer screens. These are set perpendicular in plan to the noisier and sealed fully-glazed facade to the northern aspect of Southwark Street. Here, pairs of perforated metal fins (openable like butterfly wings) are placed at each 1.5 metre centre mullion. Silver when closed, they reveal a colour when opened to modify the light and reduce any residual glare that might fall on a computer screen. The building is constructed in exposed in-situ concrete, which acts as a heat sump. An underfloor displacement air system maintaining temperature and fresh air is supplemented in the spring and autumn by the openable windows.