The Chicago-based practices plans to demolish the office building at 1 Silk Street replacing it with a 21-storey scheme were unveiled last week as part of a second round of consultation.The project, for developer Lipton Rogers and investor La Salle, will reduce the existing 1982 building to its foundations.The proposal for the 0.57ha site features office space above ground and cultural and retail use on the ground floor. A pedestrian arcade will run through the site connecting Silk Street with Milton Street while apublic space will be created opposite the Silk Street entrance to the Barbican Centre.AdvertisementThe arts centre is due to undergo its own revamp under plans by Allies and Morrison and Asif Khan, which are also at consultation.A scoping opinion submitted to the City of London Corporation late last year described the current 1 Silk Street as a utilitarian office building that does not represent the best work by either firm of well-known architects associated with its construction and refurbishment, according to environmental consultant Trium.The consultant explained: Architecturally, the building is not distinguished, nor does it present an innovative approach to office design; rather, its current condition reflects the office requirements of the time of its refurbishment in the mid-1990s.The existing building is not considered to have any architectural merit, and it detracts from the streetscape as a result of the inactive frontages and lack of permeability.SOM says redevelopment of the site will ensure the new 1 Silk Street meets Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) requirements for commercial buildings due to come into force in 2027, which would have made the current structure unlettable.AdvertisementThe existing 1 Silk Street building currently dominating the site consists of two interlinked towers designed by Fitzroy Robinson Partnership the 17-storey Milton House to the east and 13-storey Shire House to the west featuring heavily glazed faades.Sheppard Robson refurbished the buildings between 1994 and 1996.A full planning application is expected to be submitted soon and, pending approval, completion is scheduled for 2032.The project team was contacted for comment.Current site view