24 PROJECT REPORT: COMMERCIAL & WORKPLACE ENVIRONMENTS
The colours used throughout the
refurbishment were taken from heritage palettes and colours uncovered during the project
They were also given permission to demolish boards or blockwork blocking original openings and archways, and to install new windows.
A new lease of life
As well as remedying a vast array of newer elements and additions, many of the heritage features needed repair and restoration, having been damaged by both previous works, and many years of neglect. As well as removing internal walls, ceilings, finishes, MEP and sanitary equipment were also taken out, exposing the original features and structure. From this point the architects were able to assess what needed specific attention, both in terms of restoration and making sure the building was structurally sound.
Ensuring the building was safe and fit for purpose according to current Building Regulations was naturally of key importance. Project managers Opera explain: “A series of structural and compliancy works were required to respond to the dilapidated condition after years of neglect.” Structural repairs were made to existing lintels, beams, and floors, the existing timber floors were repaired and in some places replaced, and general strengthening works were undertaken where required. A new stair core was added to comply with fire
WWW.ARCHITECTSDATAFILE.CO.UK
escape requirements, and new fire compartmentation was introduced. Removing the partitions and plaster that had been added over the years revealed a mixture of original heritage features – a steel frame structure, wrought iron columns, timber beams, floorboards, doors, pitched roof structures, and rooflights. There were various elements of brickwork including archways and corbelling; and steel-framed windows. The building was built using yellow London stock bricks that had also been covered with plaster in places, so this was also removed. Repairing and restoring these features was a monumental task, involving a variety of works. “The building envelope was fully repaired, including roof works, window and door refurbishment and replacement, and detailed brickwork repair to reinstate heritage features,” Davis explains. He gives the example of two archways leading off what is now the main reception, which had been partially infilled. “The bullnose bricks to one side of the openings had crumbled away and another was in disrepair, so we removed them and used matching reclaimed London stock and blue bullnose engineering bricks, which were toothed in to rebuild them to their original state,” adds Davis. The practice then installed steel-framed doors within these refurbished archways, bespoke made to fit each one. “Rather than
ADF OCTOBER 2021
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76
