Why Build Models
Insights from Our Shoreditch Studio written by Jack The most exciting part of physical model-making is the ability to immerse ourselves in the spatial experience of a design. There’s something uniquely powerful about working with something tangible — being able to turn, hold, and move around it. Physical models help us discover qualities like light, […]
Burleigh House
Location: The Strand, London
Sector: Office / Commercial
Year: 2024
Size: 14,700 sqft
Client: Legal and General Investment Management
How can you work with a building’s layered history to bring forward something new?
Burleigh House dates back to the 1830s, with a rich history including a menagerie and exchange that once occupied the location.
The building has undergone several transformations, including a less-sensitive remodel in the 1990s, which removed much of its original charm with concrete structures and dropped tile ceilings.
Embracing this insensitive refurbishment, concrete ceiling coffers were exposed and lined with timber, incorporating indirect feature lighting to add warmth to these spaces. The ventilation strategy has been designed in such a way that integrates with the existing concrete structure.
Drawing inspiration from the site’s history, materials and colours were chosen that reflect the original design intent. Fluted timber panels were used throughout to create a cohesive design language. The new roof terrace offers a contemporary outdoor space that complements the building’s historical context.
The refurbishment of Burleigh House acknowledges the building’s rich history while integrating modern design elements, creating a connection between the building’s storied past and contemporary needs.
New River Yard
Location: Islington, London
Sector: Office / Commercial
Year: 2023
Size: 70,000 sqft
Client: Highbridge Estates
How can you create connections between isolated office buildings?
The refurbishment of New River Yard involved transforming a 70,000 square-foot warehouse space into a cohesive and vibrant office campus, bringing together three separate buildings and creating a sense of connectivity and community.
Additional stories were added to the roof, alongside a new café space with views into a central courtyard in order to make better use of this space.
A key challenge of the project was addressing the different floor heights between the buildings. The core was reprogrammed to bridge these differences, creating a unified circulation system.
Metal cladding was used for new external volumes, maintaining an overall utilitarian vernacular. Curved forms within the envelope give glimpses into the office spaces and soften the robust aesthetic.
Interior spaces were refurbished with a palette of natural materials, which compliment the exposed iron structures. Planters address biophilic design principles and line the breakout space on each of the office floors. The open-plan layout was complemented by striking green kitchenettes against white walls and high-quality timber finishes.
The transformation of New River Yard successfully unified three separate buildings into a cohesive and vibrant office campus.
Transforming New River Yard into a Unified Campus The refurbishment of New River Yard for Highbridge Estates involved transforming a 70,000 square-foot warehouse space into a cohesive and vibrant office campus, bringing together three separate buildings to foster a sense of community.
The project aimed to integrate three separate buildings into a cohesive campus, enhancing connectivity and community. Additional stories were added to the roof to increase volume, and a new cut-through café space was created on the ground floor at the corner, providing views into a central courtyard, making better use of this space.
The office spaces were refurbished with a palette of materials including planters, timber floors, and exposed iron structures. The open-plan layout was complemented by striking black kitchenettes against white and high-quality timber finishes.
The building’s hard warehouse aesthetic was softened using curves and natural materials like CLT for the structure. Metal cladding was used for extensions, maintaining robustness while adding a softer visual appeal with curves that give glimpses into the office spaces beyond.
Creating a Harmonious Office Campus: The transformation of New River Yard successfully unified three separate buildings into a cohesive and vibrant office campus. By integrating additional stories, creating a café space, and enhancing the central courtyard, the design fosters a sense of community. The thoughtful use of materials and curves softened the warehouse’s hard aesthetic, making it a welcoming environment for modern office use. This project exemplifies how careful design can bring together disparate elements to create a functional and engaging workspace.
39 St. James
Location: St James’s, London
Sector: Office / Commercial
Year: 2025
Size: 24,200 sqft
Client: The Crown Estate
Embracing history and enhancing functionality at 39 St James
This project aims to honour the building’s rich architectural heritage. Our design concept draws inspiration from the Neo-Baroque period, known for its dramatic play of light and shadow, rich ornamentation, and dynamic forms.
To bring these qualities into the interior, the proposal uses high-quality and durable materials such as oak and marble, characteristic of the Neo-Baroque era. The introduction of burgundy-tinted glass adds a contrasting contemporary design element alongside organic shapes in lighting fixtures and decoration.
Tracing decorative on the facade and drawing these through to the interior, ensures continuity and maintains the building’s distinctive character.
Great Eastern Street
Location: Shoreditch, London
Sector: Office / Commercial
Year: 2023
How can you revitalise a low-quality building and make it more sophisticated on a limited budget?
The existing building was characterised by unattractive green panels and a generally poor appearance. To unify the facade, we introduced horizontal banding to connect it with its neighbours. The building on the right was listed, necessitating a careful design approach. We simplified the facade with two-tonal colours, creating a dark plinth and a white upper section.
British Library Members Lounge
The British Library Members’ Room in Kings Cross completed July 2019. A new study space with a range of working environments.
Finished in oak, brass and perforated plasterboard the design references the palette chosen by Colin St John Wilson for the rest of the British Library. The new space also references the original grid which runs through walls, floors, and ceilings organizing the workstations, lighting and floor finishes giving the room a unique character..
Brampton Manor
Transforming Brampton Manor: A Sustainable and Inspiring New Campus
At Brampton Manor Academy, we’ve undertaken a transformative project to create a campus that not only serves its functional purposes but also embodies the academy’s values and philosophy. From an environmentally conscious pool to a dynamic playground, our design aims to inspire and enhance the daily experiences of students and staff alike.
The interior design of the pool at Brampton Manor Academy is a testament to the institution’s commitment to both function and form. Our goal was to create a space that a reflection of the academy’s values. The resulting geometric form is both beautiful and minimalistic, providing a refreshing environment for students.
Natural daylighting plays a crucial role in our design strategy, ensuring the space feels open and welcoming.
We’ve carefully selected natural, sustainably sourced materials for the façade, promoting wellbeing and connecting the building to its natural surroundings. This approach not only beautifies the campus but also underscores the academy’s dedication to sustainability.
The playground at Brampton Manor Academy has been reimagined to provide flexible, creative spaces that encourage fun and interaction. With a blend of hard and soft landscaping, the playground offers a variety of areas for seating, socializing, and imaginative play. Sturdy, weather-resistant outdoor furniture ensures durability and longevity, making the space practical for everyday use.
One of the standout features of our project at Brampton Manor Academy is the use of rammed earth for construction. This sustainable building material offers significant environmental benefits, including excellent thermal mass, which helps regulate indoor temperatures and reduce energy consumption.
Through thoughtful design and innovative use of materials, we’ve transformed Brampton Manor Academy into a modern, sustainable, and inspiring educational environment. The new pool and playground spaces are not just functional but also serve as a testament to the academy’s commitment to sustainability and student well-being.
Henrietta Street
Location: London – Covent Garden
Sector: Office / Commercial
Year: 2020
Size: 9,000 sqft
Client: Royal London Asset Management
12 Henrietta Street boasts a historic façade in a prime location, near Covent Garden Market. The reception and two of the office floors were transformed, adding end-of-trip facilities and enhancing common parts.
The design aimed to connect the building to its surroundings, taking influence from the historic, British racing green arches of the London Transport Museum.
An arch motif was used alongside a new resin floor and in the reception. Colour is used throughout the building to tie the spaces together and aid wayfinding.
A large table for gatherings and informal meetings makes the reception more inviting to passers-by. A striking high curtain softens the space and improves acoustics.
The changes made at ground floor animate the building .
12 Henrietta street is now a vibrant workplace that makes playful reference to Covent Garden.
Pear Tree Court
Location: Clerkenwell, London
Sector: Office / Commercial
Year: 2023
Size: 19,000 sqft
Client: Weybourne Holdings
Restoring original character through impactful design moves.
2 Peartree Court is a Victorian warehouse in Farringdon with great bones (original character). The facade is composed of a series of double height arches. Over time, through various refurbishments, it had become a bit stale and the spaces were disconnected from one another.
One of the challenges on this project was improving the entrance experience, a floor installed across the double height glazed facade brought the internal ceiling height down to 2.1m. By taking out a small section of the floorplate, we were able to create height and connect the reception with the office floor and original timber ceiling above.
We focused on the material palette, taking the existing materials like brickwork and iron mixing them with softer new additions including timber and leather. Neon gave the scheme a contemporary punch.
Focusing on material references, we were able to bring the spaces back together and give the building a consistent language and its own unique character.
THE POWER OF MOCK UPS
To stand out you have to dare to be a bit different written by Joe Our unconventional palette at Rathbone Street had its doubters! The mock-up was a great opportunity to make final adjustments and validate the choices we had made as a team. CGIs and videos are greatbut nothing beats seeing the project in […]
