gpad has extended and refurbished the ground floor façade and
main entrance of the 1980’s office building to high specification.
Visitors enter the remodelled building through the reception,
which benefits from a generous floor-to-ceiling height of nearly
4m, a feature staircase, exposed concrete soffit and feature
lighting.
The architects retained the existing staircase which creates real
impact on entering the building. The original 1980’s staircase
was retained and refurbished and the stair balustrades have been
polished with the stringer and trays painted. A series of pendant
lights form a focal point over the stairs. The ceiling and adjacent
wall blend together in a collection of raised diagonal lines and
triangular shapes that leave a striking yet playful first impression
and form a unique entryway to the first floor.
The reception is the main feature and was extended so that the
architects could incorporate the stairs to the basement plant
room, which has been converted into a bike store with showers.
The fully refurbished exterior is made up of low iron glazing, but
once inside, a visitor encounters the polished plaster of the walls
subtly contrasting with the glossy finish of the marble floor.
The showstopper roof terrace atop the 2nd floor has a view of the
surrounding conservation area and landscaped churchyard. This
terrace offers an exclusive break-out space for tenants for flexible
outdoor working, meetings and relaxing.
For the office areas, to appeal to both financial and tech businesses,
the brief was to conceal the ceiling services while maintaining
ceiling height. The architects worked within the existing curtain
walling creating a bulkhead around the perimeter to conceal
services and downlights. The central sections were left exposed to
exhibit the concrete ceiling structure, ensuring that ceiling height
was maintained. The result is high quality, open plan floorplates
with a semi-industrial look due to the partially exposed ceiling
services, painted soffit with simple box LED striplights, driven by
DALI dimmable control system, with a black finish alternating with
white acoustic baffles. All floors, from the basement upwards,
benefit from excellent levels of natural light.
The neutral colour palette of white and grey complements the
exposed and reconditioned concrete columns. The bathrooms are
kept clean and simple with white herringbone tiling to the walls,
with brass fixtures and fittings.
FEATURING AN EXCLUSIVE ROOF TERRACE FOR TENANTS,
THE BUILDING IS LOCATED 250 METRES SOUTH EAST OF
OLD STREET ROUNDABOUT AND CLOSE TO MOORGATE
AND LIVERPOOL STREET STATIONS, A PERFECT LOCATION
FOR CREATIVE, TECH AND FINANCIAL BUSINESSES ALIKE.