Shorts Gardens

London

Legendre UK

2024

Initially built as a power station in 1886, this industrial building in the centre of Seven Dials was once requisitioned by the Ministry of Defence during the Second World War for the production of munitions. Despite its central London location, the building’s location on a quiet street with no activation or relationship at ground level belied its important role in London’s history, with its 13.5m-high basement disused.

As an industrial building whose utilitarian design is quietly expressive, the design focuses on a series of key alterations to improve this building’s internal spaces and its relationship with the neighbouring buildings and narrow streets of Covent Garden. We oversaw the addition of two storeys atop the existing building, the refurbishment of the 7.5m-high basement and removal of later infills to the brick arches at ground level to restore the historic appearance and use of the ground floor as an open, visible and accessible space.

The two-storey extension is intentionally recessed, stepping back from the main host building in the form of a long curve that subtly contrasts with the order and geometry of the windows and piers below. The full-height glazing of the extension provides a full-length roof terrace with views overlooking the neighbourhood.

To the rear of the building, a double-height and mezzanine retail unit fronts onto Betterton Street, helping to activate a street otherwise currently defined by three large blank garage doors. Above it, five levels of residential apartments rise to a duplex apartment with a private terrace, collectively accessed through a dedicated entrance and lobby. The close proximity of an electric substation neighbouring the site meant careful, technical design, was required to ensure acoustic isolation was provided for these living spaces.