“ We wanted to create an inspiring office environment while respecting and preserving
the aspects of the buildings that are of architectural and historic significance
22 BEDFORD SQUARE
Racheal Cadey , Principal - Board Director and Founder , Edge , says , “ Our design scheme has been ‘ Georgian contemporary ’, classically and sympathetically restoring the Georgian building with simple and contemporary insertions . We wanted to create an inspiring office environment while respecting and preserving the aspects of the buildings that are of architectural and historic significance .”
22 Bedford Square , located within the left-hand part of the northern side of the square , had been in office use for several decades and had been expanded with a 1980s “ Neo-Georgian ” ancillary building to the rear of 22 & 23 Bedford Square , in the location of the original mews houses with a narrow link structure connecting this to the back of the original townhouse .
A key need was to open up the link between the front and rear structures to improve the connectedness of the office spaces . It was also considered important to “ reconnect ” with the rear garden courtyard .
Edge created a new four storey link building , connecting the townhouse and the rear building , re-designated ‘ the coach house ’. This contemporary , glazed architectural intervention complements the Georgian building in an empathetic way . The internal refurbishment of the existing grand rooms was undertaken using established conservation methods and the innovative and creative use of lighting and detail provides for an exciting blend of traditional classicism with modern bespoke interpretations .
The scheme has included extending the existing mansard roof of the 1980 ’ s coach house to modernise the top floor , creating additional office floorspace , exposing the internal roof structure to give a fantastic sense of height and space . The design of the link maximises natural light and provides a new break out balcony space and enhanced access to the garden courtyard .
Breaking up of the link façade , to avoid imposition of a ‘ flat ’ wall and accord with a concept of ‘ stepping ’ was achieved by stacking differently articulated layers for the appearance of overlapping boxes , which required careful detailing of the cladding ‘ steps ’ that avoided carrying in floor level support structure , and consequently deep transoms at each floor that would have undermined the effort .
Wellness features include touch free entrances , upgraded insulation and air handling , and the use of Airlite paint to improve the air quality and reduce energy consumption .
It was challenging to deliver the project during lockdown and with Covid restrictions , but this was done successfully . Having only been on site for three months when the first lockdown came into force , the construction team introduced new safe systems of working in place to keep the project on track for the target date .
Project Client : The Bedford Estate Architect : Edge Building Contractor : Gaysha Ltd .
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