International architecture and interior design practice, Arney Fender Katsalidis (AFK Studios), has secured planning consent for the retrofit of 38 Finsbury Square, an existing post-modernist building on the City of London’s fringe. Owned by London & Oriental, the 46,000 sq ft building was constructed during the 1980s. The ambitious remodelling and refurbishment will reposition this unique building to meet modern office standards and tenant requirements.
A key element of the retrofit includes the replacement of the existing façade to Wilson Street, with a high-performance anodised bronze-clad structure, which seeks to improve the building’s relationship with its neighbours and the wider architectural context; all while increasing the environmental performance of the building. The new façade is highly contemporary and creates a new identity for the building, while also recalling the classical proportions and language of the building’s Portland stone façade fronting Finsbury Square. This new façade will enable better light penetration to the office floorplates, while also releasing more internal space and rationalising the building’s floorplates.
Another key intervention is the relocation of the entrance, which also negotiates complex level changes, a re-conceptualised ground floor space, increased floor to ceiling heights, improved lift efficiency and tenant interconnectivity, and the introduction of outdoor amenity space. All frontages will also be upgraded with refinements to the existing openings and fenestration details.
The tenant floors will be optimised to create largely column-free, flexible workspaces that and can be fully configured around actual tenant requirements. The plans will see the efficiency of the building increase by 8.3% – all in addition to making the floors more attractive to tenants on account of their elevated effectiveness. A new rooftop extension will create additional loft-style office space and provide healthy outdoor amenities for all tenants, with soft landscaping and areas to sit and relax.
A new ‘third space’ will activate the ground floor lobby area, creating a lively space where lines are blurred between hospitality and commercial opportunity. This will create a vibrancy and energy to the building’s entrance, while offering flexibility for a range different uses and amenities. Space for health and wellbeing activities are also included within the building, to foster a good work/life balance for all users.
Inherently sustainable, and avoiding carbon emissions associated with demolition and renewal, the retrofitted building is targeted to receive BREEAM ‘Excellent’. Numerous energy-saving technologies will be implemented, alongside grey water harvesting capabilities for shower and waste water. A sustainable heating and cooling strategy will also accompany low-energy lighting with LED lamps, air source heat pumps with high seasonal energy efficiency, and energy monitoring and metering facilities to assess energy in use and highlight operational issues. The building will boast new impressive cycle parking and end-of-trip facilities to facilitate healthy travel options and to cater for tenants taking advantage of the building’s excellent links to the nearby cycle superhighway.
Earle Arney, Founder & CEO at Arney Fender Katsalidis (AFK), said: “Breathing new life into old buildings is a cornerstone of our practice. We are passionate about the boutique redevelopment of 38 Finsbury Square – although a modest building by scale, it is large in terms of its environmental and civic contribution, given its reuse of material to deliver new office space that creates a rich diversity of form and texture to our city. We are delighted to be working with London & Oriental to create this fresh, modern and progressive workplace, which will appeal to today’s increasingly discerning workforce – embracing all of the lessons of our changing world. We have worked hard to ensure our proposals will minimise the environmental impact during development and operation, all the while creating a rejuvenated space and experience to fit in with modern working lifestyles and to enhance people’s health and wellbeing.”
Tommaso Franzolini at Arney Fender Katsalidis (AFK), said: “Our revival of 38 Finsbury Square was a complex and rewarding challenge. Our ethos of craft and detail have come together to create a compelling and distinctive new identity for this unusual building. We are delighted that we can contribute to the fabric of London in this way, all while we elevate the tenant attractiveness and efficiency of a building that would have otherwise been destined for demolition. Retrofit is a passion for our firm – the most sustainable buildings are those that already exist and we endeavour to retain what we can in any development.”
