Vyner Street
The project will see the retention, refurbishment, and expansion of a converted industrial warehouse building in East London. Located within the Regents Canal Conservation Area, the site is made up of three buildings that are all linked but have their own clear personality, that providing high quality workspace alongside two additional flexible commercial units.
The site responds to the need for premium workspace and takes inspiration from its original use as an industrial warehouse through high quality robust materials. The design creates a flexible floor plate and building which can be easily modified, allowing for a variety of tenants and reduces the need for substantive change or demolition in the future. It also provides extended public canal side access.
As the site straddles both street and canal it was important to understand the dual streetscapes in context and think about how the users engage with the site. This opened an opportunity to activate 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 roof scape design responds to local character in a contemporary way. The geometric form compliments the massing below and creates folds for planters to soften the view. By angling the extension, it allows the terrace to maximise its views and natural daylight entering the workspaces.
Project Address: | 45 Vyner Street, E2 9DG |
Borough: | Tower Hamlets |
Client: | Splice |
Size: | 30,000 sqft |
Status: | Planning approved |
The glazed link which provides an access between buildings A and B, will ensure the courtyard is well lit and not overshadowed to appeal to both the public and office users. Large, glazed openings and faceted concrete panels create depth and enhance the scale of the opening on the street frontage.
Laura Diamond at Maddox Planning commented “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.”