>>514064749 (OP)
Because it looks rad
"Architect Terry Farrell's design for the SIS Building was a work of Postmodernism, an architectural style that often incorporates a mix of different historical and decorative elements. His decision to take influence from Mayan and Aztec temples, along with 1930s industrial modernist architecture, was part of this approach.
The Postmodernist style of which Farrell was a pioneer rejected the strict, functionalist principles of modernism. Instead of focusing solely on utility and a single, unified idea, Postmodernism embraced a more playful, witty, and eclectic approach, often using historical references to create a more engaging and complex building. The tiered, stepped facade of the SIS Building, with its numerous layers and 60 separate roof areas, directly evokes the stepped pyramids or ziggurats of ancient Mesoamerican temples.
Farrell's design was seen as a deliberate fusion of different ideas. As one critic noted, the building "could be interpreted equally plausibly as a Mayan temple or a piece of clanking art deco machinery." By combining these seemingly disparate influences, Farrell created a structure that was both monumental and theatrical, giving it a unique presence on the London skyline that was also a clear departure from the more traditional or sterile government buildings that came before it."