What on earth is an "internet shopping hub"?

An "internet shopping hub" is a computer. So the building will obviously incorporate a computer.

An internet shopping hub is called the home.That is the whole point of it I do believe.

Good old Keppies - reliably jumping on the latest design bandwagon just as everyone else is moving on to something else.

Is there another practice anywhere that has squandred more opportunities in its 100 year history? I particularly like the cantilevered floating corner

A slab block that may have to remain nameless - or should an architectural identity be required on such a prime site as per nearly every other building surrounding it!

This is no ‘object building’ or rustic hut.

One of the consolations of the M8 ripping through here is that a fringe of object buildings, love or loath them, have continued to proliferate in response. This large scale legibility incidentally and aptly respects its interwoven historic counterparts from the warehouses in the south at the Kingston Bridge to the Mitchell Library in the north, with an array of impressive churches in-between not least one of the world’s most renowned as the second building up from this proposal on the same street by Greek Thomson, which all signpost and remind us that this legibility (of like-minded ‘object buildings’ along this stretch) is nothing new.

However, the above proposal in bringing together different technological trends side by side makes for a glossy architectural brochure, but turns its back on the unique aforementioned urban significance (i.e. as first heralded by the grids coming together followed by object buildings).

Basically, it has the guise of four different buildings on each face, each with different wallpapers – notwithstanding surefootedness towards the environmental consideration of ‘aspect’.

I like the product, not the disrespect to the site.

It is a huge pity that the Cooper Cromar tower never got built on the opposite side of the road.

I see that the photoshoppers still managed to squeeze in a nice Porsche Carrera.

Interesting, always wondered if this site would be developed one day, however it now means that the former Livingwell/ banantynes health club will now be removed and consigned to the history books after its rather untimely demise in 2009.
With the involvement of B+K this would lead me to believe they are offering funding and finances to get the project moving.

I can't stop laughing at "internet shopping hub"...

Still depresses me how quick architects are to jump on the bandwagon in berating others' work. This is a thought solution which responds well to its context. Like most developments of this scale and complexity, it's been a long time in the making and with a lot of constraints from the client and local authority.

Little wonder that clients, property developers, statutory bodies and the public in general are losing faith in a profession that is so quick to stab each other in the back in an effort to try and make themselves feel superior.

No its not it's a feckin disaster, nothing to do with stabbing in the back. It's awful, frankly

#5 Mackintosh was their last designer architect. I don't really have a problem with Keppie at the moment at least they are keeping people employed but I just wish they would get some good or even half decent designers on board.

Frankly , this is simply a copycat "box". Its got the "usual" go anywhere architecture and hit and miss staggered windows which every single new office and housing block seems to copy. At least the Cooper Cromar Elphinstone tower , had it actually happened , would have provided some real identity to this important corner.This building does absolutely nothing whatosever to contribute to the street scene.Just boasting it is to BREEAM excellent standard dooes'nt disguise the fact it is a very characterless box , however much you try to dress it up in mirrored glass.
The City Plan makes clear it seeks landmark buildings and is prepared to accept tall buildings along the M8 edge.This is neither. The Planning authority should send them back to the drawingboard .Edinburgh seems to do that with unfailing regularity.It is for Joe Public to decide if they finally get better results.

frank lloyd wrong!!!!! if the proposal responds to its context, can someone explain the rational behind the `usual` staggered mullions? This form now appears on every building wherever it is!! keppies should know better than anyone. ` There is truth in honest error etc etc`

The problem is that there is so much unjustified critisism on various websites that when something this bad and also the sheds at the Broomielaw get the panning they fully deserve it gets lost and is easier to dismiss.

For clarification, the architect Kevin Toner, who contributed the comments above, is NOT the business development Kevin Toner employed by Keppie Design.

Congratulations to Keppie Design! It might be the last new Office block in Glasgow for a decade! after the collapse of the Euro, Sacre bleu!

and commiserations to the rest of us who will have to look at it for the next fifty. Merde

Keep your hair on Frank! It's only architects that read this and no-one else could care less what is said, Keppies particularly,so people may as well let off steam.

I've got to agree with the general sentiment here. I'm not an architect, but I agree that this displays very little imagination whatsoever.

The site demands far better, and while we should all be happy in this day and age, to see new projects of this scale getting the go ahead, it's another disappointing photocopy of a 00s modern city block, which will date very quickly.