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NEWS OFFICE DESIGN
Planning approval granted for JRA’s ‘reinvention’ of 10 Salisbury Square
The City of London Corporation has granted planning approval for John Robertson Architects’ (JRA) transformation of St Bride’s House at 10 Salisbury Square. The redevelopment will offer 52,500 ft2 of high-quality Grade-A offi ce space, strategically located next to the City’s new Justice Quarter. As the fi rst project within Original
Works’ portfolio, a joint venture between the developer Simten and Investor Invesco Real Estate Europe Fund III, the designs for 10 Salisbury Square showcase Original Works’ “bold vision of exemplary sustainable central London offi ce schemes, seamlessly integrating cultural sensitivity with innovation and reuse,” said JRA. JRA’s design embodies an “ambitious, progressive yet pragmatic” sustainability strategy, demonstrating a “clear commitment to heritage sensitive and climate responsible development solutions.” The project “prioritises tangible, carbon effi cient outcomes with the intention of making a positive, long-term impact to both the local community, and wider environment,” said the architects.
An opportunity to mend the urban fabric
Nestled in the historic Fleet Street Conservation Area, 10 Salisbury Square stands in close proximity to several key architectural landmarks. The existing building, is a product of a 1980s attempt to merge two Victorian gatehouse facades within a six-storey, brown-brick offi ce development. The result was a facade that clashed with its heritage surroundings, lacking the visual coherence, material sensitivity, and presence needed to engage with its context.
After over two decades without substantial refurbishment, the building no longer meets current energy effi ciency standards and requires a major upgrade to for modern offi ce use. The proposed redevelopment provides a much needed opportunity to resolve these architectural and environmental shortcomings, creating
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energy effi ciency. This approach not only resolves the building’s inherent design fl aws but also enhances its historic integrity, ensuring that interventions are within the spirit of the original design. To create a cohesion, a whitewash treatment is applied to the entire brick facade, unifying various architectural elements and reinforcing the building’s connection to its historic Portland stone dominated context. The new, harmonised appearance creates a singular new identity and improves the setting of nearby listed buildings. and a singular new identity
an exemplary workplace development with the highest sustainability credentials that meets evolving occupier needs and enhances the surrounding historic environment alongside public realm improvements for the local community.
A new lease of life as a harmonious whole
In line with the City Corporation’s retrofi t fi rst policies, JRA’s design will retain more than 90% of the building’s existing structural frame, focusing interventions only where necessary to improve both the building’s functionality and energy performance and enhance occupant wellbeing.
Favouring localised over wider high- carbon interventions, one of the key features of the design is a four-storey oriel window, which opens up views of St Bride’s Church. A modest two-storey extension with additional rooftop plant has been strategically placed on the eastern side of the building, minimising the impact on local views, particularly preserving the iconic view towards St Bride’s Church’s spire – famously inspiring the tiered wedding cake. Using St Bride’s House as its own material bank, salvaged components of the existing facade are repurposed to extend the building, while their removal enlarges windows, improving natural light and
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Sustainability & wellbeing at the Core Sustainability, health, and wellbeing lie at the heart of the design. The UK NZCBS pilot project is set to meet the highest environmental standards, aiming for EPC A, BREEAM Outstanding, and NABERS 5* ratings.
The building features photovoltaic
panels, providing a signifi cant portion of its remaining energy needs following optimised fabric performance for lower energy usage, while a 55 m3 water attenuation tank will capture rainwater for irrigation and toilet fl ushing. Occupant controlled openable windows will provide zero energy cooling, and the building’s intelligent passive facade design will maximise daylight, green views, and fresh air.
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