Originally the headquarters of Cross & Blackwell, the ensemble consisted of a Grade II-listed townhouse and an industrial warehouse. The conjoined buildings had been subdivided during the 1980s, leaving a jumble of cellular offices. By rationalising the building to give a stack of clear office floorplates, we revealed the original character of the townhouse’s offices and the industrial spaces of the neighbouring warehouse.
Much of the success of the project relied on making the two structures work together as a harmonious pair. We improved the proportions of the mansard roof to the townhouse, and added two new floors to the warehouse to balance and foreground the older building. We also extended the lettable area.
Old and new mix on the façade: the generous, arched windows punched into the original brick wall of the factory have new metal-framed windows, while the shop below is clad in green ceramic tiles.
