Blackfriars Road

Southwark

Formation Architects undertook the refurbishment of 203-208 Blackfriars Road, providing an up to date, high-quality speculative office building for client McKay Securities. The existing building, in a key location in Southwark, had fallen empty after the previous tenant’s lease had expired.

  • Client: McKay Securities
  • Size 20,376sqft
  • Sectors
    Commercial Offices, Office Conversion
  • Services
    Concept Design, Employer's Requirements, Construction Delivery, Construction Documentation

The work on site entailed the complete stripping out of the 1980’s office interior which was replaced with new metal ceilings and raised access floors allowing for increased floor to ceiling heights. The washrooms were rebuilt with high quality finishes using a unisex cubicle layout providing increased capacity in the space available. All mechanical and electrical installations were renewed to meet current BCO standards. Internal cycle storage, showers and lockers were added as well as full disabled access in line with today’s tenant expectations.

Externally the facades were overhauled and cleaned. A new roof garden was added where redundant plant equipment once stood providing a space that can be used by the staff or for entertainment purposes. The design of entrance areas in speculative office buildings is particularly important to create the best possible impression. The previously mean entrance was enlarged with a new reception area. The project was completed on time and on budget (£2.3m ) and has achieved a BREEAM Offices rating of ‘Very Good’. The building was re-let before the construction was complete.

Completed July 2012.

A number of initial studies were undertaken by Formation Architects to help the client identify the cost vs benefit of various options. These ranged from conversion to create a budget hotel, through to adding a floor to the existing building to create more office space. Ultimately the client decided that the best option was a full refurbishment of the existing space.

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Hester Road

Formation Architects was appointed by the Design and Build Contractor, Concentra Building Limited, to complete the detailed design and to provide Architectural services during construction.

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