Squire & Partners has sensitively retrofitted and extended the iconic Grade II-listed Space House in Covent Garden for Seaforth Land to create 255,000 sq ft of intelligently designed workspace, flexible retail and events space and an improved public realm in one of the UK’s largest BREEAM ‘Outstanding’ listed buildings.

History

‘Space House is one of the most important redevelopment projects of our time.’ – Historic England

An early adopter of hybrid in-situ concrete construction, Seifert’s original design utilised precast cruciform concrete blocks laid out in a grid pattern, which enabled fast and low cost construction.

Standing the test of time, this forward thinking method of construction has allowed for additional floors to be added with relative ease - and limited impact on the overall look of the facade - by inserting a new layer of replica cruciform blocks.

 

 

Construction

90% of the original structure has been meticulously restored and retained, saving an estimated 10,000 tonnes of carbon emissions.

Reinstating Seifert’s original design intent for a crisp roofline silhouette, the new rooftop extension atop the tower creates an additional 12% of lettable office space, as well as creating a 3,600 sq ft roof terrace. It also conceals a new, high-performing services installation utilising air source heat pumps, which replaces cluttered AC units that had amassed on the roof level by previous occupants.

 

 

 

 

 

 

This involved the painstaking process of unstitching the precast T-form structures that crowned the building, for vital renovation, before reinstating them above a new section of cruciform structures, carefully matched to the concrete composition of the original 1960s units.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Promoting active lifestyles

Car-centric elements have been reinvented for the future

Built in an era advanced by the popularity of the automobile, car-centric elements have been reimagined. One of three ramps to the basement has been retained to create dedicated cycle access, and the underground car park now provides expansive cycle storage for 600 bikes alongside showers, lockers, drying rooms and changing facilities. Elsewhere, the two-storey basement is punctured with a void to deliver 16,500 sq ft of flexible double-height event space.

 

What was an onsite petrol station canopy at the base of the tower has been reimagined as the Filling Station restaurant, activating the street level and opening it up to public use.

 

 

 

Sustainability

The largest listed building in the UK to achieve BREEAM Outstanding

Adding external insulation was impossible without altering the façade’s historic character. Instead, the team focused on high-performance glazing and a smart cooling system featuring operable windows.

Heating and cooling is provided by bespoke chilled beams, which fit seamlessly within the existing radial ceiling coffers. Sensors monitor daylight to reduce energy consumption for lighting. Low-flow fixtures were specified to reduce potable water consumption.

 

The revitalised building provides a highly connected and diverse digital platform for its occupiers, with Fitwel 2-star and Wired Score Platinum certification.