15 Clerkenwell Close

15 Clerkenwell Close is a striking building located in Islington, London, completed in 2017 and designed by the architectural firm GROUPWORK. Notable for its innovative use of a massive-precut stone exoskeleton, the building features a façade with embedded fossils sourced from Normandy, referencing the site's historical roots as the location of an 11th-century Norman abbey. Despite initial controversy over its design and calls for demolition, it has received acclaim, winning multiple architectural awards including a RIBA National Award in 2018 and being shortlisted for the Stirling Prize in 2021. The building also includes a small public park and a blue-green roof for water capture, making it a unique blend of modern architecture and environmental consciousness. Its design has sparked discussions about the integration of contemporary structures within historical contexts, appealing to both tourists and architectural researchers alike.