Our Patch march 2017
GOING UP IN HAMMERSMITH
A stunning new £ 275m town centre scheme aims to create‘ a sense of place’ from the rubble of an anonymous office block. Tim Harrison looks at this and other projects bringing new life and jobs to the area
An imposing new building is rising from the rubble of an old Hammersmith block. The bulldozers have flattened Bechtel House, on the gyratory, with the replacement building being trumpeted as‘ a significant piece of architecture’.
The architects who have dreamed up the new construction are aiming to create a sequence of outdoor spaces connecting the building to its main entrance in Hammersmith Road.
Mark Kowal, a partner at Sheppard Robson, told Our Patch:“ The ambition and drive behind this project is to create a significant piece of contemporary architecture and a sense of place that responds to the adjacent Brook Green conservation area while also helping embed this new development within its surroundings.”
WHAT IS PLANNED? The new 12-storey building( including basements) replaces the former UK headquarters of the US construction giant Bechtel.
There is 250,000 sq ft of space, mainly office but with some retail, with the new building valued at £ 275m.
Rather than being a single structure like the old Bechtel House, Sheppard Robson’ s design reduces the mass by forming the building from two parallel wings connected by a central core, housing circulation space and services.
It is stepped back from the street, creating a new landscaped area at the front. This will lead through to a landscaped podium garden, and a funicular lift.
The office space will accommodate
4 / 5 up to 29 tenants and 2,500 new jobs, with a ground-floor business lounge and café open to the public. Anodised aluminium window surrounds are capable of responding to changing light levels during the day.
Simon Wilkes from developer Legal & General said:“ It will set a new standard for the area, creating a modern working environment, a new green space, restaurants and cafes. This will benefit Hammersmith and further drive interest in this prominent part of London.”
It will set a new standard for the area, with a modern working environment, green space, restaurants and cafes
As part of the planning agreement with Hammersmith & Fulham Council, local people will be trained and employed on site. Although it is early days, several companies have registered interest in moving in.
Demolition of the old structure is being done by the Erith Group, while the building will be undertaken by Lendlease.
Mark Kowal from the architects’ firm added:“ Through rethinking the form of the building we have created a sequence of outdoor spaces that connect the building to Hammersmith Road as well as unlocking the potential of the central garden space which is currently underused.
“ These series of external spaces will also accommodate surrounding buildings, linking them and thereby cementing this sense of place.”
Artist’ s impressions of 245 Hammersmith Road