Willis Building (Ipswich)

Willis Building (Ipswich). The Willis Building in Ipswich is a pioneering office complex designed by the renowned architect Norman Foster for the insurance firm Willis Faber & Dumas. Completed in 1975, it is celebrated as a seminal work of High-tech architecture and an early masterpiece of Foster and Partners. The building is notable for its innovative use of a curtain wall facade, open-plan interiors, and integration of social spaces, earning it a Grade I listed status from Historic England.

History

The commission for a new headquarters was awarded to the then-emerging practice of Norman Foster by the chairman of Willis Faber & Dumas, Sir Peter Green. The project was initiated in 1970, with construction managed by the main contractor John Laing plc. The building was conceived during a period of significant urban development in Ipswich and was completed in 1975, becoming one of the first major works by Foster to gain international acclaim. Its creation coincided with the early career of structural engineer Anthony Hunt, who collaborated on the project. The building's opening was noted in architectural publications like the Architectural Review.

Architecture

The architecture is defined by its sweeping, three-story curtain wall of bronze-tinted glass, which drapes over the irregular, trapezoidal site. This facade is supported by a steel frame and features minimal mullions, creating a highly reflective, seamless exterior. The roof is a distinctive, landscaped roof garden accessible to employees, an innovative feature at the time. Internally, the design employs a deep-plan, column-free floor plate made possible by a space frame structure, allowing for completely flexible, open-plan offices. A central, full-height atrium contains a dramatic suspended staircase and is overlooked by the office floors, fostering visual connectivity. Other notable features include an internal swimming pool, a staff restaurant, and early implementations of raised floors for servicing.

Significance and reception

Upon completion, the building was immediately hailed as a landmark in Modern architecture. It received the RIBA Award in 1975 and later the prestigious RIBA Stirling Prize in 1991. Critics praised its humanistic approach to the modern office, blending technological innovation with social amenities. The building's Grade I listing in 1991, a rare honour for a structure of its age, was secured following a campaign by the Twentieth Century Society. It is frequently cited alongside contemporary works like the Centre Pompidou and the Lloyd's building as a key example of High-tech architecture. Architectural historians such as Kenneth Frampton have analyzed its place in the narrative of British architecture.

Later use and refurbishment

The building remained the headquarters for Willis Group (later Willis Towers Watson) for decades. In the early 21st century, it underwent a significant refurbishment led by Foster and Partners to update its services and environmental performance while respecting its original design. This included upgrades to the HVAC systems and the restoration of the iconic glass facade. Following corporate mergers, the building was sold and has since been occupied by other tenants, including the insurance firm Aon plc. It remains a functioning office building and a protected heritage asset, regularly open for tours organized by Historic England and during events like the Open House London festival.

Gallery

File:Willis Building Atrium.jpg|The full-height atrium with its suspended staircase File:Willis Building Roof Garden.jpg|The landscaped roof garden File:Willis Building Interior 1970s.jpg|Original open-plan office space (1970s) File:Willis Building Night.jpg|The illuminated glass facade at night

Category:Office buildings in England Category:Buildings and structures in Ipswich Category:Norman Foster buildings Category:Grade I listed buildings in Suffolk Category:High-tech architecture