The transformation of this former warehouse in Clerkenwell avoids expected expectations of industrial conversions. Generous spaces have been created that embrace the sweeping curved forms of historic infrastructure, balanced with the introduction of new, integrated joinery and the repair of existing brickwork.
As an awkward space that is predominantly two-storeys below ground, we recognized that a priority was to allow as much natural light into the space and not introduce new features that complicated views upwards. To be clear, the new pavement light panels were a new feature - there were only one or two old pavement light panels before we worked on the job, and they were much smaller.
We removed a concrete slab that concealed former lightwells running along Rosebery Avenue to the north and introduced new glass blocks within the lightwells, allowing an abundance of natural light deep into the space below whilst correcting the historic relationship between the street and the main four-storey block. Internally, we removed later partitions and retained the building’s original, principal structure, defined by stock brickwork which has been repaired. We sandblasted all of the existing brickwork to reveal interesting corner detailing to the brick piers. This contrasts with a simple, white render to collectively promote the notion of a space that can serve as a blank canvas for a prospective tenant.
