Architecture and engineering practice BDP has completed the design of Google's new United Kingdom headquarters, which the tech company has officially named 'Platform 37'. The building is located in the King's Cross Central development area in north London, a district that has undergone extensive urban regeneration over the past two decades. The project represents one of the largest corporate campus developments in the capital and marks a significant commitment by Google to its UK operations.
Name references King's Cross railway heritage
The 'Platform 37' branding directly references the site's railway heritage. King's Cross and neighbouring St Pancras stations serve as major transport hubs for national and international rail services. By choosing a platform number that extends beyond the existing numbering at these stations, Google positions the building as a conceptual extension of the transport infrastructure – a departure point for innovation rather than physical journeys. The name carries symbolic weight: it suggests Google views its UK presence not as a standalone office but as a connecting node in a global network.
BDP's design task involved integrating large-floor-plate office volumes with the fine-grained urban fabric that characterises the King's Cross masterplan, developed by Argent. The practice had to balance Google's requirement for flexible, open-plan workspaces with the need to maintain street-level activation and permeability. This tension between corporate scale and urban grain is a recurring challenge in commercial office developments within historic districts.
Architectural concept and spatial strategy
While detailed technical specifications remain under wraps, BDP's involvement signals a design approach that prioritises adaptability and employee experience. The practice, which operates across multiple disciplines including architecture, urbanism, and building services engineering, typically employs integrated design workflows. This suggests that 'Platform 37' incorporates coordinated strategies for façade performance, indoor environmental quality, and structural efficiency from the earliest design stages.
The building's massing likely responds to London planning regulations, including daylight and sunlight assessments for neighbouring properties, as well as strategic views protected by the Greater London Authority. Large office developments in the King's Cross area are required to demonstrate how they contribute to the public realm, often through ground-floor retail, cafés, or publicly accessible routes. BDP's portfolio suggests the practice would have addressed these requirements through carefully articulated base, middle, and top sections, with the floor plan geometry optimised for natural light penetration.
BDP's corporate campus expertise
BDP brings substantial experience in large-scale workplace design to the 'Platform 37' project. The practice has previously delivered headquarters buildings for multinational corporations across Europe, often working within constrained urban sites. This expertise is particularly relevant in King's Cross, where the masterplan imposes strict design codes governing building height, materials, and public space interfaces.
The practice's multi-disciplinary structure allows architects, structural engineers, and environmental consultants to work in parallel rather than sequentially. This integrated approach is increasingly common in BIM-driven project delivery, where early-stage decisions about structural grids, service risers, and façade modules have cascading effects on cost, programme, and performance. For a client like Google, which operates its buildings as long-term assets, this coordination reduces operational energy consumption and simplifies future adaptations.
Context: King's Cross regeneration and corporate investment
The King's Cross Central development has transformed a 67-acre post-industrial site into a mixed-use district comprising offices, homes, educational institutions, and public spaces. Google's decision to establish its UK headquarters here follows earlier commitments by other technology and creative-sector firms. The district's transport connectivity – including multiple Underground lines, national rail services, and the Eurostar terminal at St Pancras – makes it attractive for companies recruiting talent from across London and beyond.
From a market perspective, Google's investment reinforces the shift of London's commercial gravity northwards, away from the traditional City and Canary Wharf clusters. This trend reflects changing workplace preferences, with employees valuing mixed-use neighbourhoods over mono-functional office districts. The presence of the University of the Arts London and the Francis Crick Institute within walking distance adds to the area's appeal for knowledge-sector tenants.
Identity and branding through architecture
Corporate headquarters increasingly function as brand statements as much as operational facilities. The 'Platform 37' name, combined with BDP's architectural language, positions Google as embedded within British culture and infrastructure rather than as an imported presence. This rhetorical move matters in a political climate where large technology firms face scrutiny over taxation, data governance, and local economic contribution.
Naming strategies for major developments often reflect complex negotiations between client, architect, and local stakeholders. By avoiding generic branding or direct reference to the Google name, 'Platform 37' acknowledges the building's role within a broader urban narrative. This approach contrasts with earlier corporate campuses that sought iconic, standalone identity. The platform metaphor also aligns with Google's product ecosystem, where platforms enable third-party services and user-generated content.
Implications for London's office market
The completion of 'Platform 37' adds significant Grade A office space to the London market at a time when demand remains concentrated in a small number of prime locations. Google's commitment to physical workspace, despite the growth of remote working, signals confidence in the enduring value of face-to-face collaboration for certain business functions. The building's flexible floor plates and advanced building services infrastructure position it to accommodate evolving work patterns, including hybrid schedules and activity-based working zones.
For the architecture profession, projects of this scale and visibility demonstrate the importance of design practices that can navigate complex stakeholder environments. BDP's role extended beyond traditional architectural services to encompass strategic planning, public consultation, and coordination with infrastructure providers. This expanded scope reflects broader shifts in how major developments are procured and delivered, with architects increasingly required to operate as integrators rather than purely design specialists.
The 'Platform 37' project underscores how corporate identity in the technology sector is increasingly expressed through built form and urban placemaking. Google's choice of name and BDP's architectural response together create a narrative that ties global reach to local context – a balance that will define the next generation of corporate headquarters in London and beyond.
