Offices in Paddington

The existing building, located on a quaint and picturesque mix-use mews in the heart of Paddington, was a shell of external brick walls with an internal steel and timber frame structure.

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Client:	Private
Type:	Refurbishment & Restoration, Workplace
Value:	£500k-10million
Date:	2019
Size:	0-1000sqm
Status:	Completed
Location:	London, United Kingdom
Awards:	RIBA London Award 2019 Institution of Structural Engineers 2019

A modern industrial aesthetic is the result of adapting the fabric of the existing building, and selecting materials to suit the ethos of the client; a private fund investing in sustainable agriculture using timber as a natural, carbon-negative, renewable resource. Driven by the vision for an honest expression of the building’s structure and detailing, the design retains and carefully restores as much as possible of the existing building fabric to achieve an economy of materials and a sense of place.

A specialist contractor carried out careful restoration to the damaged brickwork. At roof level, the mansard roof steel frame was repaired and painted before new oak joists were installed to replace the existing rotting timber structure on all floors. The upper floors are fitted out with offices for 3 or 4 desks, and the ground floor with a 3.4m high ceiling height will provide a spacious reception, communal eating area, conference room and WC facilities. A double set of folding garage-style doors allows natural light to flood the interiors and may be fully opened on warm summer days.

When in use, the building will adopt a “Zero-carbon” sustainable strategy by replacing the existing gas supply with 100% renewable electricity. Working with a fire engineer and an approved building inspector removed the need for intrusive fire systems. Careful detailing in consultation with an acoustic engineer has ensured a high level of acoustic privacy between offices. The internal fit out was designed to be flexible, allowing the client to install or remove office partitions according to the needs of the office into the future.

The new offices derive their character from the restored brickwork, extensive use of oak, and grey-painted steel structure. Through simple, honest and elegant detailing, the practice has created a workplace with a contemporary, yet timeless, atmosphere for the client whose family business will occupy this building for many years to come.