Like many people I didn't notice my wonder, the Willis Building, the first time I saw it. It is a good example of "stealth design" during the day. It only really comes to life when it is lit up inside at night. When you visit, the reason for the black glass facade becomes obvious: a grade Misted Unitarian meeting house next door gazes back at its own reflection across a pedestrian walkway. Good design doesn't need to shout about itself. Inside is one of the first offices to consider the social life of inhabitants with an atrium, swimming pool, rooftop restaurant and garden. I have worked near this building for over four years and it is a joy. I love talking to locals about it and they rarely know that the Willis Building is listed, or why. Of course I now pay the building close attention: on a recent visit I noticed the square black window supports had each been colonised by a tiny spider, living in one of the four Allen key holes, and it had made a perfectly square web between them.
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