Harry Dhaliwal: Inspired by the Willis Faber & Dumas Headquarters Building

The Willis Faber & Dumas headquarters is situated in Ipswich and is recognised as one of the earliest examples of the architectural work of Norman Foster, constructed just after he formed Foster Associates. Designed and built between 1970 and 1975, the building housing the insurance firm that is today known as Willis Group Holdings is viewed as a landmark in the forerunners of the development of the architectural style known as ‘high-tech’. As managing director of the innovative property development company, First-StepGroup based in Manchester, Harry Dhaliwal has a keen interest in architecture and in the creative and clever use of space, using his travels to seek inspiration from across the globe. Harry Dhaliwal is inspired by the Willis Faber & Dumas headquarters as an example of a trend-setting architectural style that is still very modern and contemporary forty years after completion.  



The Willis Faber & Dumas Headquarters

The Willis Faber & Dumas headquarters was created based on an inspired design from Norman Foster in conjunction with Michael Hopkins. The concept of the building, which was finalised before the oil crises of the late seventies, includes natural gas heating and an insulating grass roof. Factors such as these have ensured that over the years, the completed building has won almost as many awards for energy efficiency as it has for the stunning architecture. At the time of construction, the building challenged modern ideas of office architecture, focusing on maintaining continuity with the medieval setting rather than simply constructing another high rise. The building, which is constructed almost entirely of glass on the outer walls and sprawls over 21,225 square metres across three storeys, follows the naturally curving and irregular street pattern with a free-form plan said to ‘flow to the edges like a pancake in a pan’. Glazing manufacturer Pilkington worked with Foster’s vision to create a sheath-like glass wall that pushed the boundaries of technology at the time to the limit. Silicon joints and corner patch fillings join together each two metre square solar-tinted panel, maintaining the smooth appearance of the three-storey glass curtain, which is suspended from clamps at roof level. Discreetly placed internal fins of glass reinforce the structure and brace against wind. During daylight hours, the building reflects the ancient medieval scenery and buildings surrounding the structure, while as the building lights up at night these scenes disappear to reveal the activity taking place within. In a pioneering move, the building was created with the raised office floors that would soon become a necessity as technology began to take over the world of business. While many companies had to refurbish or even move buildings entirely to accommodate computerisation, Willis Faber & Dumas were already prepared and were able to make the move with the minimum of logistical disruption. In a modern paradox, this building that was built with flexibility at the forefront of the design has since been granted Grade 1 listed status, meaning that no architectural changes can now be made.  

About Foster & Partners

Foster & Partners is the architecture firm of Willis Faber & Dumas headquarters designer Norman Foster. Widely recognised as one of the most innovative practitioners of integrated design practices and architecture, Foster & Partners has pioneered a sustainable approach to architecture for some forty years to date, creating infrastructure, office spaces, airports, private dwellings, civic and cultural buildings, urban masterplans and much more using environmentally sound design. The practice has long since established a global reputation, with buildings on all six continents and offices worldwide. Since inception back in 1967 Foster & Partners have won more than 140 international competitions and been recognised with over 685 awards for excellence.  

Design Construction

The Willis Faber & Dumas headquarters building is supported centrally by a series of concrete pillars, each set 14m apart and propping up cantilevered floors of concrete slab. The exterior smoked glass wall was crafted from approximately 890 panels, each measuring 2m² and with a distinct lack of any right-angled corners characterising the uniqueness of the building. In the spirit of the democratisation of the workplace, features such as a roof-top garden and restaurant and a swimming pool for staff use were included to encourage a strong sense of community among the workforce. The swimming pool has since had to be covered over but can still be seen beneath a false floor utilised for more office space. The pool cannot be filled in due to the Grade 1 listing of the building, which when granted in 1991 made the building the youngest ever to receive that particular status in Britain. At that time, there was only one other building in the UK at less than thirty years old that had Grade 1 listed status. Right next door can be seen the Unitarian Meeting House, one of the oldest buildings in the city of Ipswich and the only other building in the city with Grade 1 listed status.


Forward thinking, cutting edge design, ahead of its time and creative use of space, are what made the Willis Faber & Dumas building a landmark project. These principles inspire Harry within his own property development business, First-Step Group.