084WORKPLACE A few have gone even further to make the
offi ce more like a home: by inviting the neighbours round to mingle. T e Court House in Blackfriars, London, is a new scheme by Sheppard Robson for Fabrix developers that does exactly that. The rooftop forest is not just for staff but also for the local community, bringing staff and locals together as volunteer gardeners and nature lovers (see case study, below). Social as well as environmental responsibility has been at the core of
Fabrix’s mission statement since it launched in 2016. Head of impact Debbie Whitfi eld tells FX: ‘Back then, people thought we were hippies – particularly our emphasis on the social side of things as well as the environment. Not any more.’
Now, post-Covid, its approach is ticking lots of boxes and giving it an edge in the offi ce property market. Says Whitfi eld: ‘We know there has been a fl ight to quality and that will continue: not just beautifully designed buildings in good locations but
buildings that are responding to environmental demands – net-zero buildings with areas that provide that space for giving back.’ T at notion of giving back – taking time to dedicate yourself to something outside of your day-to-day work concerns – has a lot of traction currently. Among architects, that sometimes means taking on projects that require you to go the extra mile, for less. James Hampton of New Makers Bureau has recently seen a pet project, worked on pro bono for seven years, come to fruition (see
CASE STUDY ROOTS IN THE SKY
The radical repurposing of Southwark’s former Blackfriars Crown Court sees Sheppard Robson transform this 1960s, cellular structure into a 21st century workplace, as well as a huge asset for the local community, who will have extensive access to the 1.4-acre urban forest being designed for the rooftop. This building also features a rooftop restaurant, bar and swimming pool, though these will probably be retained for the use of the top-paying of ice client. However, the community will have direct access to the roof, via a public café entrance at street level and not through some corporate reception area. To support the weight of this living roofscape a lightweight hybrid steel and CLT frame will cope with the 1,300t of soil, not to mention the plants – 125 established trees and 10,000 new plants. The landscaping will not just prioritise community access – the premium rooftop zone, with the best views over the city of London will be dedicated to community and public use – but also carve out areas for undisturbed wilderness so that pollinators and other crawling creatures vital to the plant ecosystem can thrive, undisturbed.
As for the 385,000ft2 of of ices,
the ambition is for this to be net zero both in construction and operation,
incorporating circular economy principles wherever possible, including the use of reclaimed structural steel. A passive ventilation approach includes openable windows, and a full-height feature atrium that facilitates the removal of waste heat from the building. A passive water capture system will irrigate the forest on demand. Inside, the building will be all-electric, with wastewater heat recovery and air source heat pumps. It is targeting BREEAM Outstanding, WELL Platinum and Nabers 5* certification. The scheme, currently under construction, won in the Unbuilt category at the New London Award in 2021.
Client Fabrix developers Architecture Sheppard Robson Internal area 385,000ft2 Proposed completion 2027 Landscape design Harris Bugg
Project manager Gardiner & Theobald LLP
M&E/Sustainability engineer Atelier Ten Structural engineer AKT II
ALL IMAGES: FABRIX
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