Vyner Street

An industrial folded two-storey extension to a canal side warehouse with two new wings.

Project Address

45 Vyner Street, E2

Location

Tower Hamlets

Client

Splice

Size

30,000 sqft

Status

Planning approved

The proposals seek to retain and enhance the urban grain of the area and add life to the canal side through the lower-level restaurant and external spaces higher up the building. Brick, reconstituted stone and metal cladding are used in ways that celebrate the industrial heritage of the area and tie the existing building with the two new wings whilst retaining their individual characters.

Located within the Regents Canal Conservation Area, the site responds to the need for a premium workspace and takes inspiration from its original use as an industrial warehouse through high quality robust materials. The flexible floor plate and building can be easily modified, allowing for a variety of tenants and reduces the need for substantive change or demolition in the future.

As the site straddles both street and canal, the redesign activates both sides of the development, creating a flow of movement between the buildings and contributing to the canal side views and walkway. Working at different scales simultaneously, the designs were developed to create contextual yet new buildings with longevity and permanence.

The roofscape design responds to local character in a contemporary way. The geometric form complements the massing below and creates folds for planters to soften the view. Angling the extension, allows the terrace to maximise its views and natural daylight entering the workspaces.

WORKPLACE

RETROFIT

Large, glazed openings and faceted concrete panels create depth and enhance the scale of the opening on the street frontage.

The profiled metal signage wraps around corner to direct pedestrian route through the passageway and increases wayfinding from canal side to street side.

Demolish existing block to east side of building.

Extrude the main block up to add two floors.

Chamfer and step back the roof to face the canal.

Add new block fronting Vyner Street.

Chamfer entrance at ground floor to create a route through and link to the main block.

Add block to the east of the main building.

Chamfer roof to face the canal.

Add materials.

“When we first reviewed the site with GPAD and the client, we were all aware that approval for a four storey scheme was probably most likely, but through good collaboration and architecture we have achieved a five storey approval, for a really attractive, functional building.”

Vyner Street

An industrial folded two-storey extension to a canal side warehouse with two new wings.

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WORKPLACE

RETROFIT

“When we first reviewed the site with GPAD and the client, we were all aware that approval for a four storey scheme was probably most likely, but through good collaboration and architecture we have achieved a five storey approval, for a really attractive, functional building.”

Laura Diamond, Maddox Planning

Next Project

130 Old Street

Overview

Projects

ALASDAIR BROWNLOW

SENIOR ARCHITECT