3.0 64 Coleman Street - Office - Moorgate

Remodelling of three buildings within the Bank Conservation Area to form a characterful office development which responds to its context.

Eight storeys of Grade A office space with a two storey basement will be formed from three buildings dating from the late 19th century, the 1950s and the 1970s.

The design resolves the differing urban characteristics to create a development with desirable office space with opportunity for retail or cafe space.

The site has dual frontages on Coleman Street and Moorgate, which are linked by Great Swan Alley on the northern boundary. The design response is to respect, preserve and enhance the local character. The façade of the 19th century of 63 Coleman Street is to be retained, with the choice of Portland stone to the new modern facades following the proportions of the street context.

The scale and grain of the openings are ordered and regular to reflect the rhythm of solid to void that is characteristic of the existing architecture. Three floors of additional space are stepped back with a series of mansard roofs to reflect the mass and scale of adjacent buildings.

A generous and inviting reception space features relaxed seating areas to create places for people to linger.

Role: I was given full control over the design of this project from the beginning, reporting to the director. The project began as a proton therapy unit building with a basement of 21 meters, but after the design and drawing of all plans and obtaining a DAS, it changed to an office building. Designing the building was challenging because it was attached to a part-listed building, which we had to keep and design around. In order to ensure the structure worked with our design, I worked alongside the structural engineer. The project got planning 3 times over the time worked on it.