Great Pulteney Street
- Client: Sir Richard Sutton
- Contacts: Dorota Knet
The refurbishment of 41 Great provides much improved, efficient, well lit, extended modern office accommodation, as well as significantly improving the external appearance of the building, completely transforming it to appear as a new development.
By embracing sustainable practices, retaining the majority of the high carbon elements- such as the reinforced concrete structure and brick cladding- whilst carefully selecting new high-quality material, the design transforms the building into a contemporary workspace that not only enhances its aesthetic appeal but also provides a dynamic, efficient, and flexible environment for its occupants. This sensitive yet bold reimagining ensures that the building will stand as a vibrant and integral part of its surroundings for years to come.
The new office entrance on Great Pulteney Street provides greater prominence by the creation of a new bronze anodised surround with an integrated canopy. The backlit canopy soffit continues through into the reception. The ribbed GRC infill panel incorporates the building numerals. The wall behind the reception desk subtly reflects the ceiling geometry with off-white polished plaster panels.
It uses striking, high-quality materials to establish a more coherent fenestration pattern and better definition of the office entrance whilst increasing the lettable office floorspace without causing any harm to the conservation and encourage a positive effect on the Soho Conservation Area. The brick on the exterior of the building has been re-painted in a grey colour to be more in tune with the existing and vibrant architecture seen in Soho.
A new office floor has been added to the top of the building, set back from the parapet, with full height glazing and featuring bronze anodised perforated screens providing solar shading and relating to the first-floor window screens. An external amenity terrace space is accessed via a frameless glass sliding / folding screen, seamlessly linking the external and internal spaces.
The new toilet and lift core is separated from the offices by glass fire screens, maximising the legibility and light within the building. Bronze coloured
metal framing and elements link features from the exterior and interior of the building.
The office spaces feature services spines above perforated metal access rafts with managed exposed air conditioning and lighting modules in the office spaces either side, maximising volume and flexibility.
