10 - 11 Clerkenwell Green, London

The re-use, retrofit, and extension of a 19,500 sqft office in the heart of Clerkenwell

10-11 Clerkenwell Green office refurbished space with bare brick
10-11 Clerkenwell Green office top floor
10-11 Clerkenwell Green office industrial glazing to east elevation
10-11 Clerkenwell Green office new space with exposed timber joists
10-11 Clerkenwell Green office front elevation

The site consisted of two buildings connected by footbridges, and while it had plenty of character the access and layout was convoluted due to various piecemeal refurbishments undertaken over the preceding decades. Previous architects had already obtained permission for an additional 1,152sqft and a second firm had identified ways to add a further 505sqft by mean of an ‘enhanced’ scheme. Our client felt that the buildings had more potential and we agreed, and by working carefully and sympathetically with the existing buildings we secured planning permission for an additional 6,500sqft, an increase of approximately 50% on the existing building’s floor area.

The site is located in the Clerkenwell Green conservation area and directly adjacent to Grade-II listed buildings and so a very high quality design was essential to persuade the Council to grant consent. This was achieved through a sympathetic and detailed design approach which demonstrated our commitment to quality and our respect for the character and qualities of the existing buildings as well as the context.

A new lift was added to give level access throughout the building, and new rooflights and double-height spaces were created in the ground floor to bring light into the basement and make this a bright and pleasant space to work in.

As with our other project for the same client at 27-29 Whitfield Street, the design approach was to remove linings and coverings and reveal the beauty of the original structure in its pure form. All windows were replaced with new double-glazed systems and the roofs and floors are now highly insulated. From first floor upwards the building is naturally ventilated by means of simple traditional opening casements, while the lower ground and ground floor have mechanical ventilation due to the site being landlocked at lower level.

The project was completed at the end of 2021 and has been successfully let to global influencing agency MG Empower and bio-tech pioneer Amyris.

Retro-fit Stories : Watch our four minute film about the project

10-11 Clerkenwell Green office ground floor
10-11 Clerkenwell Green office basement with gallery daylight and concrete floor
10-11 Clerkenwell Green office with concrete core and exposed timber joists
10-11 Clerkenwell Green office basement with spiral stair and concrete floor
10-11 Clerkenwell Green office basement with black stair and concrete floor
10-11 Clerkenwell Green office ground floor
10-11 Clerkenwell Green office with metal windows and exposed timber joists
10-11 Clerkenwell Green office with bare brick and bleached timber floor
10-11 Clerkenwell Green office with black metal windows and bleached timber floor
10-11 Clerkenwell Green office ground floor
10-11 Clerkenwell Green office with signage
10-11 Clerkenwell Green office with bare brick and bleached timber floor
10-11 Clerkenwell Green office industrial black metal glazing to east facade
10-11 Clerkenwell Green office with bare brick black metal windows and timber floor
10-11 Clerkenwell Green office with bleached timber floor
10-11 Clerkenwell Green office basement with reclaimed timber floor and bare brick walls
10-11 Clerkenwell Green office with black metal windows and obscure glass
10-11 Clerkenwell Green office with exposed brick and timber joists
10-11 Clerkenwell Green office with bare brick and reclaimed bleached timber floor
10-11 Clerkenwell Green office rooftop extension with exposed timber joists
10-11 Clerkenwell Green office rooftop extension with exposed timber joists
10-11 Clerkenwell Green office rooftop extension with exposed timber joists
10-11 Clerkenwell Green office front facade
10-11 Clerkenwell Green office front facade stucco detail

Publications

Architects Journal article on 10-11 Clerkenwell Green

Drawings

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