“The one that’s on the cover of the government’s
‘Living with Beauty’ report.”
Wellington House
London SW19
Client — Columbia Threadneedle
Area — 4,500sqm
Budget — £12m
Use — Office / Retail
Status — Construction
The original
building was horrid – which always makes our work slightly easier – though our
design was still able to keep 80% of its structural frame. Other than that, the
project is a bit of a repair job in terms of townscape and architecture – which
doubles the net area on the site and was fully pre-let. Arguably, it was
pre-pre-let – as the shop and restaurant on site stayed in place, and trading, all
through construction. Not easy.
Circular economy principles are at the heart of the design with an underfloor ventilation system installed which reduces the physical amount of ‘stuff’ installed on day one by about 25% (visible in the clutter free ceiling) – while also massively reducing the further amount of ‘stuff’ that would be thrown out every time a floor is re-fitted out in the future.
Our proposal extends the form and appearance of the new-‘ish’ office building on the site next door, across the elevation of our building, to provide contemporary, naturally lit, high quality space on all floors. Including, unusually, naturally lit WCs – a boon for wellness if that’s your thing.
On the prominent corner, which is a sort-of gateway between the hub-bub of Wimbledon Town Centre and the smarter and quieter Conservation Area next door we’ve overlaid a ‘Conservation Area friendly’ façade – all red brick and green ceramic – like a classic Victorian Corner Pub.
So classic in fact that it recently featured on the cover of the BBBBC’s ‘Living with Beauty’ Report.
Circular economy principles are at the heart of the design with an underfloor ventilation system installed which reduces the physical amount of ‘stuff’ installed on day one by about 25% (visible in the clutter free ceiling) – while also massively reducing the further amount of ‘stuff’ that would be thrown out every time a floor is re-fitted out in the future.
Our proposal extends the form and appearance of the new-‘ish’ office building on the site next door, across the elevation of our building, to provide contemporary, naturally lit, high quality space on all floors. Including, unusually, naturally lit WCs – a boon for wellness if that’s your thing.
On the prominent corner, which is a sort-of gateway between the hub-bub of Wimbledon Town Centre and the smarter and quieter Conservation Area next door we’ve overlaid a ‘Conservation Area friendly’ façade – all red brick and green ceramic – like a classic Victorian Corner Pub.
So classic in fact that it recently featured on the cover of the BBBBC’s ‘Living with Beauty’ Report.
︎’Concept’ sketch - this really is how architects design things.
︎’After’ - the view north up Wimbledon Hill Road.
︎’Before’ - the view north up Wimbledon Hill Road.
︎’After’ - the view east along Mansel Road.
︎’After’ - the elevation to Mansel Road. Duggan Morris’ building to the right.
Bespoke Green Ceramic Panels at the factory
And a detail of the same panel installed on the building