The views of DLG Architects
perspective
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Inside: 14 Cornhill Reborn The Asset of History News Update
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Office News Update June 2008
14 Cornhill, London The development of the former Lloyds Bank headquarters building at Bank in the City of London presented interesting challenges. The building had been acquired by IVG Asticus Real Estate Ltd, the original owners Lloyds TSB having been relocated to a new building on Gresham Street. DLG Architects were appointed with a team to develop a scheme for the sustainable use of the building, to obtain the best possible planning consent and to deliver a development in line with IVG Asticus’ reputation for development of exceptional quality. The original structure was massive, with large columns suited to the requirements for offices eighty years ago. Banking operations required cellular spaces and, although the technology existed to create slender columns at the time, they were not needed for this building. The requirement now however is for minimal visible intrusion into an open plan office space. A unique method was developed with engineers Ramboll Whitby Bird to reconcile these requirements by the “surgical” replacement of the massive structure with slender circular solid steel columns of only 200mm diameter to replace the 750mm square originals. This, combined with long-span new structures over the banking hall, has created very high quality office space with large uninterrupted floor plates which are always a premium requirement.
Planning permission was also obtained for two new floors to provide spectacular space with unrivalled views over the City. The modern structures of these floors are hung from large trusses supported on just six “mega- columns” which carry the load down through the twelve floors of the building to new foundations at third basement level, avoiding overload to the existing building. The 170,000 ft² building has been reborn as a lively mixed-use development containing ground level retailing, restaurants and top quality open plan office space built round a spectacular atrium. It maintains and celebrates the historic qualities of the building, making it quite unique among City developments. The offices have been let at a record level rent so clearly the market shows that something special has been created.en
Matthew Borowiecki Partnereated.
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Feature Article June 2008
The Asset of History The built environment consists of so much more than just functional buildings. At DLG we have long been aware of the importance of the past and have had a particular interest in managing conservation. We have undertaken many important projects in this field and have learnt through practical experience combined with published research the improved values which can be achieved. Listed and historic buildings are sometimes seen as a problem in value and investment terms, and this is understandable. The uncertainty about the best way to put an important building to beneficial use in a different context to that for which it was designed inevitably affects its value and potential for development but, with the right approach, there is always a good solution.
With care and experience developments involving existing buildings will match the performance of newly built projects and with the application of imagination the historic fabric can be brought into the character of a development by design. Character is an asset which is vital to developments involving historic buildings, it needs to be understood and nurtured to make the most of it. In this issue of Perspective we illustrate a few of our recent projects which we believe achieve the synthesis of historic character and modern utility, thereby creating an asset which is more than the sum of its parts.
To discuss office requirements contact: Andrew Gardner (Leeds) 0113 3946 900 Gareth Gerner (London) 020 7426 3630
Office News Update June 2008
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Belle Vue Mills, Skipton Work has started on site on this major £40m mixed use Yorkshire regeneration scheme. The Belle Vue Mills development in Skipton will restore a number of listed historic mills and transform the area into a prestigious new destination including 25,000 ft² of studio office space, apartments, town houses, restaurants and retail, including a major new store for Next. The development adjacent to the Leeds - Liverpool canal is designed to complement existing facilities in Skipton and act as a unified extension to the town centre. The design has at its centre a spectacular atrium which replaces the original Northlights courtyard, complete with ETFE roof, and a dramatic glazed façade taking in views across the nearby countryside.
Sunlight House, Manchester The tenants of Sunlight House in Quay Street Manchester are about to benefit not only from a comprehensive refurbishment of the premises but also from learning more about the history of their building. Building owners Warner Estates are proposing to make the story of the building more available to all who use it. Designed by Joseph Sunlight, an idiosyncratic local architect, it has the distinction of once being the tallest building in Manchester and a forerunner to much of the commercial success of the city.
As well as being an architect, Sunlight was also a very successful businessman leaving a fortune when he died in 1974 in excess of £7m. For some time he based his enterprise in the building and today’s users can take pride in occupying not only a landmark listed building but also one which recognised commercial success as a virtue.
General News Update June 2008
The Atrium, Camberley Progress continues at a pace on the 750,000 ft² Atrium development with completion on target for November 2008. The development is divided into multiple sectional completions with the first residential phase handed over last November. Most recently, the early release of units has enabled Next, Sports world and Zavvi to open ahead of the scheduled handover of the 140,000 ft² retail section. The main focus of attention at the moment is the leisure block where the wavy cinema and Atrium roof steelwork is nearly complete with the ETFE ‘eden project’ membrane pillow roof manufactured and about to be installed Letting of the leisure units has been strong with all of the restaurant units secured along with the cinema and bowling anchor tenants who are programmed to commence fitting out later in the summer.
The Atrium, Camberley
Green and Pleasant Historic locations can leave a legacy long after the original buildings have disappeared. A project for a one off house in the grounds of Chertsey Abbey is a case in point. The Abbey was one of the largest in the region but was destroyed in the reformation, the immediate area however retains the quality of tranquillity and is an oasis of calm right in the town centre. The new courtyard house is designed to replace some existing outbuildings and has had to take account of its Scheduled Ancient Monument location. Exploratory archaeological digs were undertaken as part of the overall strategy which was agreed with English Heritage. The raft foundations are designed to eliminate disturbance to preserved material below ground in accordance with conservation principles. The house is designed with a sedum roof on the “fifth elevation” as it is visible from adjoining properties.
Chertsey Abbey
Westlands Industrial, Heathrow Lettings are looking positive for these speculative industrial units near Heathrow which were finished in February for British Steel Pension Fund Trustee Ltd. Clear internal space, generous eaves heights and flexibility to subdivide the 40,000 ft² space and associated offices are the selling points. The first phase of work at the site was completed last year when tenants moved into the adjoining, new 150,000 ft² pre-let unit.
Westlands, Nippon External
General News Update June 2008
The Waterfront Quarter, Huddersfield DLG have submitted ambitious new plans for the development of Huddersfield’s £200m Waterfront Quarter, one of the largest urban renewal projects in the country. The proposal will transform the 12 acre site into over 800,000 ft² of mixed use space, including 200,000 ft² of BREEAM excellent rated offices, Huddersfield Technical College, Hotel, Restaurants & Apartments. The project, which is forecast to generate up to 2000 jobs, will carefully introduce contemporary architecture whilst also developing the public realm around the canal and River Colne to create a vital sense of place.
Sheffield Parkway Competition DLG’s Nicolas Ascione & Andrew Crombie were commended for the ‘very beautiful and striking form’ of this RIBA International competition entry for a landmark pedestrian bridge situated between the M1 & Sheffield City Centre. The fluid design concept formed from a CORTEN structure was eventually one of the final 5 shortlisted from over 109 international entries.
More in Windsor Having already transformed the town’s retail offer with the development of the historic Royal Station, DLG has successfully commenced site works on the transformation of the famous Caleys department store in Windsor, to provide renewed space for retail and a 100 bed hotel. Located in the heart of Windsor’s conservation area, to the South West of Windsor Castle, the building enjoys a prime position on the main High Street alongside other Grade II Listed buildings of Georgian proportion.
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