The Gilbert and One Lackington, Finsbury Square, Office Buildings Renovation Images, Commercial Architecture Project
The Gilbert and One Lackington, Finsbury Square in East London
3 Dec 2021
Design: Heyne Tillett Steel
Location: Finsbury Square, East London, UK
Photos by Andy Stagg
The Gilbert & One Lackington, constructed in 1930 by Frederick Gould and Giles Gilbert Scott, was built as a Member’s Club and formed a campus of three inter-connected heritage buildings on Finsbury Square, striking in looks but never designed for use as offices. Although refurbished in 2001 the buildings were still complex and eccentric in layout and would be challenging to restore.
The Gilbert and One Lackington
The brief was demanding requiring vision and belief with a host of conflicting issues including a neglected central courtyard repurposed for servicing that disconnected the buildings. Roof space was messy and occupied entirely by plant. Despite these setbacks, the first principle is always re-use, examining what the existing structure offers to mould rather than discard.
Key to reimaging the building for contemporary and future-proofed office space was to rationalise the internal organisation creating separate and stand alone buildings with well-being and access to external space driving design choices. Also to improve circulation linking the buildings by repurposing the servicing courtyard into a ‘Green Heart’. Significantly improving the office space, adding value, natural daylight, efficient servicing and access to glorious pockets of intimate green space popping up on different levels across the structure.
The restored buildings now embrace the charming character and quality of the original structures whilst delivering grade A office space comparable with contemporary offerings. This has been achieved whilst maximising the sustainable benefits of retaining much of the embodied carbon, significantly improving the operational carbon profile, and delivering office accommodation within carefully restored historic buildings.
Martin Wallace, senior vice president of Brookfield Properties, said: “We are delighted to transform a historic property into a modern class A office space in a prime London location, extending the life of this 90-year-old building whilst celebrating its character and adding the modern amenities sought after by today’s tenants.”
What was the brief?
To refurbish a 1930’s building and create first class office space
What were the key challenges?
Behind a beautiful facade lurked a complex, disconnected and disfunctional building!
How is the project unique?
The easy option would have been to retain the facade and demolish everything behind it. However, the client was committed to reuse as the most sustainable option. We now have a lovely and highly individual office space in the heart of the City.
The Gilbert and One Lackington, Finsbury Square, UK – Building Information
Architects: Heyne Tillett Steel
Project size: 218,000 sqm
Completion date: 2021
Location: Finsbury Square, Finsbury, central London, south east England, United Kingdom
Building levels: 7
Photography: Andy Stagg
The Gilbert and One Lackington, Finsbury Square images / information received 031221 from Heyne Tillett Steel
Location: Finsbury Square, central London, England, UK
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