Award winning architectural practice, gpad London, has been granted planning permission to progress with the construction of a new build office at 5 Sycamore Street, Clerkenwell. The eight storey building will include a basement and cycle store with the location of the site also presenting the opportunity to create public space.
The site brings with it a wealth of history. It was once home to stable buildings that made way for a four storey warehouse which in turn was refurbished into office space.
Having analysed the surrounding buildings of differing heights and sizes, including Grade II listed buildings, St Lukes conservation area and other buildings converted for residential use, gpad has been careful to source high quality materials that reference traditional construction techniques. This gives a nod to the site’s former warehouse heritage.
As part of the proposed design, gpad has included recessed brickwork to add depth to the façade which will include strong vertical elements and expose the masonry construction. Pronounced brick piers creating large structural bays pay homage to the history of the area. Upper levels clad in high quality copper and brass will detail an intricate scale like finish which contrasts with the mass of the brickwork below. The top two floors will also boast balconies with trimless glass balustrades and concealed fixings for a luxury finish and much sought after outside space.
Joe Ashton, architect, gpad London, comments: “With the neighbouring buildings varying in style and use, the site posed a challenge for us to ensure that the new plans tied in with the local geometry. It has presented us with the exciting opportunity to work with a unique island site in Clerkenwell – a building occupying its own plot in such a dense area is rare. We’re delighted to have won the planning permission to progress with the project and it is great our team’s hard work has been realised in this way.”
Anand Shah, co-founder, Elmhurst Capital, comments: “We’re delighted to be bringing to life our first project in the Clerkenwell area. As a thriving creative hub for London that will be enjoy even more connectivity when Crossrail is complete, Clerkenwell is an attractive location for a variety of businesses looking for premium facilities to operate within. With the majority of London’s current office stock pulled into service over 100 years ago, employers are seeking offices that have had a 21 st century facelift to bring them into line with modern needs and expectations.”
Set behind the busy Old Street hub, with lots of pedestrian traffic, gpad London realised that the ground floor needed to have visual impact. Large fenestrations at ground floor level will demonstrate hierarchy of space and create a more engaging street frontage allowing this part of Clerkenwell, which is not currently on the main thoroughfare, to be brought to life.
KEY BUILD FACTS
Location: Clerkenwell – 5 Sycamore Street, London EC1
Type of project: Commercial New-Build
Developer: Elmhurst Capital
Architect: gpad london ltd
Planning consultant: Planning Sense
Structural engineer: GDE Partnership
M&E consultant: AWA Building Services Consultants
Tender date: September 2018
Start on site date: December 2018
Completion date: February 2020
Contract duration: 15 months
Gross internal floor area: 25,150 sq ft
