ExCeL London’s brief required the extension of their existing building to provide more flat-floor exhibition space in a purely contiguous setting. Through close collaboration with the client, Grimshaw’s response has helped to expand this vision into an extension that combines functionalism and design, resulting in a building capable of taking its place on the world stage as London’s second largest Olympic venue and the city’s first International Conference Centre. Phase 1 was completed in 2000 and Grimshaw were approved to undertake the design of Phase 2 in 2006. The extension furthers ExCeL’s role as a major economic magnet in London’s East End, by providing an additional 32,500 sq m of flat-floor exhibition space. These developments will take ExCeL London to a total capacity of 1,000,000 sq ft of flexible space, complemented by a new 4,500 sq m bespoke conference facility. The development aims to enrich the user experience by adding better integration to the nearby DLR service and better links with the adjacent dock edge. Construction and Materials: Externally, solid elements of the structure are clad in two tonnes of metal cladding, one bright silver, the other dark gunmetal. The latter is mainly used in recessed areas around the service road and its ramps, and this helps define the previously mentioned “jaw”. The structural zone and external balconies around the raised conference box are clad with thick gauge pressed bright-silver perforated panels. The architectural intention here is to create a “veil” around this element and to articulate it in relation to surrounding walls. Warmth is brought to the scheme via the “spiral” on the east elevation and the polycarbonate on the South. Walls, floors and leading edges of both features are clad with a buff coloured reconstituted limestone panel. Large areas of clear glazing are incorporated into both. Balustrades to the edge of the external public deck also deploy clear glass. The external envelope is defined below as a series of systems: Kalzip Cladding (internally and externally) Vitreous Enamel (internally and externally) Reconstituted Ceramic Tile (internally and externally) Structural Glass Balustrading (internally and externally) Timber Cladding (internally and externally) Expanded Aluminium (internally and externally) Stick double glazed curtain walling with front edge profile Stick double glazed structural silicon glazing Insulated aluminium louvre panels Fairface cavity blockwork walls (internally and externally) Bicolour 3 cavity polycarbonate panels composite aluminium cladding panels ETFE pillows Fibre cement board Single ply roofing membrane