deMetzForbesKnight Our seventh project for The Office Group. We have transformed an anonymous, foreboding 1980s office building into a contemporary, bright, co-working space, achieving BREEAM Excellent Location Kings Cross, London Size 6,500 sqm Client The Office Group Budget £13m Photography Jack Hobhouse Front elevation showing upward and forward extensions Set back from Pentonville Road, the building had an uncommitted and anonymous presence. It has a complex facade but very small windows which, along with the tough engineering brick, gives it an opaque, unwelcoming appearance and an inhospitable, poorly lit interior. The first move was to create a set forward, five storey entrance building comprising a double height entrance with offices above. We see this as a meeting point for people arriving from Angel to the north, and King’s Cross to the south. Scheme diagram Drawing cues from the quality elements of the existing building, such as the engineering brick façade, fluted concrete and sculpture by prominent British artist Geoffrey Clarke, we have introduced bold additions to the building. Thoughtful details in the original building Geoffrey Clarke We wanted to develop a design language for the extension borne from the original building, by using a similar engineering brick but in a different way. Working with Structural Engineers Webb Yates, we developed the design of the front extension building as a structurally self supporting perforate brick lattice, set on a 45 degree angle to give it stiffness. Brickwork detailing The lattice will give the building a lacy, perforated skin, behind which sits a simple cross laminated timber structure and openable windows. A porous skin Testing the model in timber and lego The building is extended at roof level with a new cross laminated timber structure, clad in a zig zag perforated aluminium screen, which blends softly with the sky. The parapets are extended upwards to complete the building, and to create a balustrade. Brickwork detail The ground floor front extension is approached through landscaped garden areas to the north and south and brings together visitors from King’s Cross and Angel into a generous co working lounge with cafe and meeting rooms. Shared workspace Co working area with restaurant Ground floor plan Original and site photos The interiors will have an honest, raw feel expressing the original concrete and new cross laminated timber structure. Reception The reception area retains the original concrete floor slabs which previously supported the stripped off brickwork around the new entrance building. These are re purposed as balconies to a first floor break out area. Reception Reception The combination of latticed brickwork creates a clear visual connection to the surroundings and garden approach, whilst gently offering a sense of enclosure and privacy. Daylighting is diffused and comfortable with no need for blinds. Simple elegant corridors Typical co working area Great care was taken to control the arrangement of services and ventilation, limiting these to circulation areas, and where possible hidden in dropped ceilings. The co working spaces have uncluttered ceilings with no exposed services. The skin of the building has a unique, glowing, lace like quality at night. Back to top The Old Library, 119 Cholmley Gardens, London, NW6 1AA T: +44(0)20 7435 1144 E: info@dmfk.co.uk Copyright © 2021 dMFK