Transform Reuse Low Carbon Futures For Existing Buildings
Transform Reuse Low Carbon Futures For Existing Buildings
Transform Reuse Low Carbon Futures For Existing Buildings
Existing Buildings
Transform
& Reuse
02
Shaping a Better World 04
Adaptive Reuse 06
Expansive Reuse 46
Proactive Reuse 80
R
S
L
solution. Together, we need to transform and reuse
ECONOM
IV
AIRTIGHTNESS DENSITY
ER
N
existing buildings wherever possible, innovating Reduce heating Increase building
IO
Y
load and cost by capacity through
EXTENS
HISTO
&
and collaborating at this pivotal time. keeping warm air RY optimised servicing
Y
inside the building. E and means of
Low-carbon futures for existing buildings
G
Reduce energy escape.
I TA
demand.
IVERS F
DR
HER
N
PA
OR
ES
E THE
SHAPING A BETTER WORLD LIF
T RA N S
E
As the world’s population grows, demand for homes and LU
A
US
V
Shaping a Better World
FO
amenities will soar. Another 2.5 billion people will be
E RM
&R
CREASE
living in urban areas by 2050, putting immense pressure on STRUCTURE ALL ELECTRIC
SE
resources and infrastructure.[1] Spare structural Design out fossil
CH
U
capacity or viability ANGE OF fuels to minimise
AR
Demolishing reusable buildings and constructing new ones of strengthening environmental
IN
EA INCR
building frame to impact. Benefit from
in their place will only add to stresses on our planet’s finite
NE
provide additional a decarbonising
natural resources. It is time for change on a dramatic scale. area. grid.
T
Z
R N
E
With the built environment responsible for almost 40% of A O
CARBO
E
SE
energy-related carbon emissions globally, we must find new
ways to design and construct our cities.[2] It is untenable
that the lifespan of many modern commercial structures is
WELLBEING SYSTEMS UPGRADE
often closer to 20 years than 100. Maximise user health and happiness Integrate digital monitoring and
through optimal amenity, fresh air, control to improve performance.
Given that up to 87% of today’s buildings will still be natural daylight and more. In return, Predictive maintenance to enhance
occupied in 2050[3], we must improve their performance increased productivity. lifespan of parts and components.
towards zero carbon as soon as possible.
This document has been created to challenge perceptions
and show that second hand doesn’t mean second rate. Our
projects prove that refurbished buildings are some of the
most exciting and dynamic places in the built environment. THE DRIVERS FOR TRANSFORMING AND REUSING TECHNICAL DRIVERS
With industry-wide collaboration and a radically different EXISTING BUILDINGS
mindset, the opportunities to create great buildings whilst BRIEFING DRIVERS
driving down carbon are limitless. Along with environmental benefits, transforming
and reusing existing buildings often delivers
greater commercial and social returns than
demolishing and reconstructing. It can be
far more cost-effective for clients, create
characterful places for occupiers and preserve
1. United Nations World Urbanization Prospects (2018)
2. UN Environment: Global Status Report (2017)
heritage value for communities.
3. National Statistics (2012)
04 [email protected] 05
Creating new futures
Adaptive for existing buildings
Reuse
C O A L D R O P S YA R D
London, UK
06 ADAPTIVE REUSE 07
08
Adaptive
Reuse
1 Finsbury Avenue 18
Television Centre 22
The Standard 26
Gasholders 28
Here East 32
09
How do you transform derelict
industrial yards into a new
shopping district for London?
AT A G L A N C E
At Coal Drops Yard in King’s Cross, Arup
helped turn three largely derelict heritage
buildings into a popular shopping and dining
district.
An expansive new upper level with a sculpted
roof unites the whole, while bridges provide
additional links. Victorian brick viaducts
are now home to modern retail brands and
restaurants, with space in-between for events, art
installations and markets. Vestiges of the past are
everywhere.
B U I LT
1800s
CLIENT
Argent
L O C AT I O N
King’s Cross, London
COMPLETION
2018
ARCHITECT
Heatherwick Studio
London, UK
ARUP SERVICES
Structural engineering
Geotechnical engineering
Façade engineering
Contamination services
RECOGNITION
The ICE Bazalgette Award for Sustainability 2019
RIBA London Award 2019
DRIVENxDESIGN London Design Awards 2019
RIBA National Award 2019
World Architecture Festival Awards 2019 –
Best Completed Building Shopping category
10 ADAPTIVE REUSE 11
B U I L D I N G O N O U R H E R I TA G E I N N O V AT I N G T O S O LV E C H A L L E N G E S
Built in the 1800s for distribution of coal, much We established early on that the existing
of Coal Drops Yard had lain derelict for years, structure had limited capacity for additional
becoming severely overgrown by vegetation. loads. So we made the structure for the new
In the 1980s, a large area was gutted by a fire, upper level and roof independent from the
destroying or damaging the original timber existing structure. Instead, they are supported on
structure; the few cast iron beams and columns steel and concrete framing, threaded through the
that survived were in unknown condition. original buildings and founded on new mini-
Another area hosted some of London’s most piles squeezed within internal bays.
iconic nightclubs, with the structural fabric
The upper level is enclosed in a tapering 8m
painted black or hidden behind plasterboard.
tall structural glass façade. This spans vertically
between the slabs and trusses, relying purely on
the glass panels arranged in a folded geometry.
MINIMISING RISK BY
The system is bonded with structural silicone to
BUILDING INSIGHTS
increase the stiffness and load-bearing capacity
In the absence of structural information on
of the façades. The sculpted roof has a 32m clear
the original construction, it was vital to build
span and supports a suspended floor via steel
understanding of the site’s structural capacity
hangers.
and condition, to make it possible to retain
the Victorian architecture. Through Arup’s
knowledge of construction history, and by
C O L L A B O R AT I N G T O T R A N S F O R M
uncovering evidence relating to the site and
AND REUSE
working closely with the heritage architect,
Arup worked in partnership with the project
Giles Quarme Associates, we established an
team, local authority and Historic England, via
archaeological understanding of each phase of
workshops, meetings and site visits. Together,
development.
we refined and engineered the design to retain as
much of the existing structure as possible, while
upgrading building performance.
12 ADAPTIVE REUSE 13
How do you transform abandoned
grain silos into a celebrated
cultural hub?
AT A G L A N C E
Constructed in 1924, Cape Town’s prominent
grain silo was once used to store and grade
maize from all over South Africa.
Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa
B U I LT
1924
Cape Town, South Africa
CLIENT
V&A Waterfront
Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa
L O C AT I O N
Cape Town, South Africa
COMPLETION
2017
ARCHITECT
Heatherwick Studio
ARUP SERVICES
Structural engineering
Building services (MEP) engineering
Façade engineering
Wind engineering
Security
Artificial and daylighting studies
RECOGNITION
Fulton Awards 2017
Innovation in Concrete (joint winner)
Architectural Concrete (winner)
14 ADAPTIVE REUSE 15
B U I L D I N G O N O U R H E R I TA G E MINIMISING RISK THROUGH
The grain silo complex is made up of a series SMART ENGINEERING
of buildings, the largest two elements being a How to ensure that the unreinforced brittle
grading tower and a storage block comprising 42 concrete stays in place and avoids major
tightly packed, 33m tall concrete tubes. Due to cracking over the next 100 years of wind and
its historic significance and prominence on the earthquakes? We created a structure that is less
skyline, the scheme was heritage-listed, despite stiff than the rigid matrix that stood for the last
being disused since 1990. Rather than resorting 100 years. Subtle soft joint seams cut through the
to wholesale demolition, the project team took old, allowing far more movement.
on the challenge to reimagine the interior and
unify the separate buildings, while retaining the
silo’s industrial character. I N N O V AT I N G T O M A X I M I S E V A L U E
Our mechanical team designed the museum’s
environmental controls to international best
M A K I N G T H E M O S T O F H E R I TA G E practice standards, opening up opportunities
We applied our engineering expertise to take for loans from international art institutions. In
advantage of the scheme’s greatest design value, a first for Africa, the museum uses Category
the geometry and workings of the historic silos. A climate controls in the galleries. Endorsed
When the new design carved out an opening so by the International Council of Museums, the
large that there was no structural integrity left in technology offers the highest level of protection
the building, we engineered a parallel reinforced- for collections and is the most advanced climate
concrete wall that precisely followed the original control technology available at present. Energy
structure but was entirely independent of it. We efficient design also reduces power consumption
achieved this through slip forming, mimicking and the building’s demand on municipal
the exact technology used in 1923 to build the infrastructure.
silos.
16 ADAPTIVE REUSE 17
How do you transform a listed
office building into flexible
workspace, shops and cinema?
AT A G L A N C E
Designed by Arup in the 1980s, 1 Finsbury Avenue
is a Grade II listed building at Broadgate, London.
Over 30 years later, we collaborated with architect
Allford Hall Monaghan Morris (AHMM) to
reimagine the commercial building to provide
247,000ft2 (22,950m2) of flexible workspace and
40,000ft2 (3,700m2) of retail space, restaurants and
a boutique cinema. Over 50% was let a year before
practical completion, attracting the desired mix
of tech and co-working occupiers. This is part of
our wider role supporting British Land and GIC’s
£1bn transformation of Broadgate, the largest
pedestrianised neighbourhood in central London.
B U I LT
1980s
CLIENT
British Land
L O C AT I O N
Broadgate, London
COMPLETION
2019
1 Finsbury Avenue
ARCHITECT
AHMM
ARUP SERVICES
Structural engineering
Building services (MEP) engineering
London, UK
Façade engineering
Vertical transportation
Fire engineering
Security
Transport
Waste
Acoustics
Sustainability
ICT
Design services
RECOGNITION
BREEAM Very Good
18 ADAPTIVE REUSE 19
ADDING VALUE THROUGH BUILDING CONTRIBUTING TO OUR
INSIGHTS AND DESIGN LOW-CARBON FUTURE
Our multidisciplinary design team accessed Given the high quality of the original building,
detailed records from our archive and carried the project team reused as much of the structural
out surveys to build a thorough understanding frame and façade as possible. Together, we
of the existing building. This yielded valuable renovated and reused many elements that would
insights into the building’s structural condition normally be replaced in office redevelopments,
and spare capacity, along with existing services resulting in significant cost savings and reduced
distribution, plant capacity and life expectancy. lifecycle carbon emissions. This included
By interrogating original calculations, we retaining existing double-glazed units, for a
pinpointed columns and foundations with spare heritage-sensitive upgrade. We also challenged
capacity, and added new loads to these locations the convention that plant such as chillers, pumps,
with minimal physical intervention. transformers, panels and generators needed to be
replaced simply because of age.
Targeted design interventions to add value
included the creation of new roof terraces and As a result, we reused 90% of the central plant
an acoustically isolated boutique cinema in the systems, while improving the building’s energy
basement. We enabled this by designing a new efficiency performance.
box-in-box structure sat on acoustic bearings,
which could be constructed within the existing
basement. We designed the removal of floors to
create the necessary double height space, whilst
maintaining the stability of the building.
C O N S E R V I N G H E R I TA G E V A L U E
Our heritage consultants assessed the condition
and historic significance of 1 Finsbury Avenue’s
heated façade, which was the main reason for
the building’s listing and a much-loved feature
for early occupiers. This distinctive 1980s façade
carried hot water inside the hollow steel sections
that support the glass, flowing around the whole
building like a giant external radiator. We
modified this 30-year-old system to suit the new
development and keep it operating, conserving
heritage value.
20 ADAPTIVE REUSE 21
How do you transform the BBC’s
former HQ into a vibrant new hub
for London?
AT A G L A N C E
Television Centre is one of London’s most
ambitious redevelopment projects. It turns an
iconic 1960s building and 30-acre site into a 1.7
million ft2 (158,000m2) neighbourhood, with new
homes, offices, television studios, restaurants,
a cinema and hotel. Appointed by Stanhope to
provide an array of services, Arup’s involvement
spans from pre-purchase feasibility studies through
to multidisciplinary design across the existing
residential elements of the masterplan.
B U I LT
1960s
CLIENT
Stanhope PLC
L O C AT I O N
White City, London
COMPLETION
2018 (Phase 1)
ARCHITECT
AHMM
ARUP SERVICES
Civil and structural engineering
Television Centre
Vertical transportation
Sustainability and wellness consultancy
Materials consultancy
Fire engineering
Logistics
Access and maintenance
Heritage
ICT
Environmental consultancy
RECOGNITION
BCO Commercial Workplace Award 2019
BCO Best of the Best Award 2019
RIBA London Region Award 2019
AJ Mixed Use Project of the Year 2018
22 ADAPTIVE REUSE 23
C O L L A B O R AT I N G T O CONTRIBUTING TO OUR
MAXIMISE VALUE LOW-CARBON FUTURE
We worked collaboratively with masterplan We investigated conditions across the site,
architect Allford Hall Monaghan Morris including reuse of existing foundations to
(AHMM) and multiple other architects for minimise embodied carbon and environmental
individual buildings to maximise value. This impact, which led to the development of a low-
included helping increase rental values across energy design, reducing environmental impacts,
550,000ft2 (51,000m2) of new office space by construction costs and long-term running costs.
creating a lean floor sandwich. Building services Individual buildings seamlessly plug into the
are exposed, contributing to an aesthetic with site-wide infrastructure. The site also connects
appeal for creative and media industries. with local transport infrastructure, parkland
and facilities, for a low-carbon and wellbeing
focused world.
24 ADAPTIVE REUSE 25
How do you transform unloved B U I L D I N G O N O U R H E R I TA G E
Located opposite St Pancras, the eight-storey
council offices into a popular town hall Annexe was built in the 1970s by
destination hotel? Camden’s in-house architects and engineers.
When put up for sale in 2015, developers jostled
for the prime site. All except one wanted to
demolish the original and start again. We are
AT A G L A N C E
proud to be part of the team that has given new
The former Camden Town Hall Annexe is a
life to this icon of brutalist design, which is
curvaceous brutalist building, one of the few
enjoying a resurgent appeal.
still surviving in London.
Arup was part of a team appointed by owner
REUSING TO MAXIMISE VALUE
Crosstree to turn these former council offices
Arup collaborated with Orms to retain and
into the first Standard Hotel in Europe. Together,
restore the building’s façade and primary
we have revitalised the original building and
structure, cutting capital costs, minimising
added three new levels and a roof terrace with
demolition impacts and reducing the project’s
spectacular views. This has created a distinctive
carbon footprint, whilst maintaining the
266-bedroom hotel.
architectural aesthetic of the building. Precast
concrete panels forming the façade were cleaned
and restored, the new slim-framed windows
replaced tired originals. Together, we have
upgraded the façade’s thermal performance to
achieve modern-day standards.
B U I LT
1970s I N N O V AT I N G T O S O LV E C H A L L E N G E S
Our multidisciplinary team intricately threaded
CLIENT new building services systems throughout the
Crosstree Real Estate Partners existing structure. We reused existing risers and
air shafts to minimise space impacts and reduce
L O C AT I O N
the need for costly structural interventions.
King’s Cross, London
We also engineered services to guest floors to
COMPLETION
work within the existing floor to floor heights
2019 to make bedrooms as generous as possible. An
external shuttle lift glides up the north face,
ARCHITECT opposite St Pancras.
Orms
The Standard
26 ADAPTIVE REUSE 27
How do you transform
Victorian gasholder frames into
contemporary homes?
AT A G L A N C E
Gasholders London in King’s Cross is home
to the only apartments in the world to be built
within a trio of historic gasholder frames.
The Grade II listed ironwork frames were
dismantled, restored and relocated along the
Regent Canal to create a residential development
of 145 apartments. Arup helped create a new
future for these industrial structures that would
otherwise have been left to decay.
B U I LT
1860
CLIENT
Argent
L O C AT I O N
King’s Cross, London
Gasholders London
COMPLETION
2018
ARCHITECT
WilkinsonEyre
ARUP SERVICES
London, UK
RECOGNITION
RIBA London Award 2018
International Property Awards 2016
World’s Best Architecture
Best International Architecture
Multiple Residence
28 ADAPTIVE REUSE 29
B U I L D I N G O N O U R H E R I TA G E MINIMISING RISK THROUGH TESTING
Originally built in 1860, the triplet of A key feature of Gasholders London is a veil of
interlocking gasholder frames are masterpieces motorised shutters that residents can individually
of Victorian craft. Abandoned as heavy industry open or close at the touch of a button for shade
moved to the outskirts of the capital, the and privacy. At 4m high, these shutters are
frames were dismantled in 2001 to allow for unusually tall and, with four panels operating
construction of the Channel Tunnel Rail Link. concurrently around a curved façade, particularly
Today, they elegantly house three circular complex. Their reliability and operation
residential buildings. were essential to the façade’s success. So, we
developed a full test programme, including
an operational life of up to 10,000 open/close
M A K I N G T H E M O S T O F H E R I TA G E cycles and resistance to impact and wind loads.
As the apartments sit within the Victorian This gave everyone confidence that the shutters
framework, the façade was developed to respect could withstand even gale force winds in any
the constraints of the original structure while configuration.
creating well daylit internal and external living
spaces. The project team drew on our diverse
skills in developing the strategy for restoring I N N O V AT I N G T O O V E R C O M E
and repairing the cast and wrought iron guide CHALLENGES
frames, allowing them to stand independently The gasholder frames restricted construction
of the new buildings. We also designed two access for the façade, preventing some
slender steel bridges in the central courtyard that traditional installation methods. So, we
weave through the Victorian ironwork and are introduced a unitised system that could be
supported as lightly as possible to maximise the installed as the gasholder framework was rebuilt
contrast between past and present. from the ground up. Additional façade features,
such as prefabricated shutters and balconies,
were then hoisted into place. This efficient
and flexible approach sped up the construction
process.
30 ADAPTIVE REUSE 31
How do you turn the London
Olympic Games Media Centre
into a creative hub for tech,
learning and innovation?
AT A G L A N C E
Situated in the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park,
Here East is the spectacular 1.2 million ft2
refurbishment of the London Olympics 2012
Broadcast, Media and Press Centre buildings,
transforming the site into a technology and
innovation hub.
The service gantry for the broadcast centre has
been transformed to provide studio spaces for
designers, artists and craftspeople.
B U I LT
2012
CLIENT
Delancey / Laing O’Rourke
L O C AT I O N
Queen Elizabeth Park, London
COMPLETION
2016
ARCHITECT
Hawkins Brown
ARUP SERVICES
Structural engineering
London, UK
Geotechnical engineering
Building Services (MEP) engineering
Civil engineering
Here East
Fire engineering
Environmental consulting
RECOGNITION
RIBA London Awards 2019 – Regional Award
BCO National Awards 2018 –
Refurbished/Recycled Workplace
AJ Retrofit Awards 2018 – Offices (over 10k m²)
AJ100 Awards 2018 – Building of the Year
AJ100 Awards 2018 – Best Use of Technology
32 ADAPTIVE REUSE 33
OPENING UP OPPORTUNITIES CONTRIBUTING TO OUR
IN AN EXISTING BUILDING LOW-CARBON FUTURE
Assessment of the building structure resulted
Repurposing buildings at Here East has been an
in a significant increase in space, revealing
important role in the legacy of the London 2012
capacity for three additional floorplates without
Olympic Games.
the requirement to strengthen the existing
structural columns. Our innovative design The structural engineering techniques used on this
approach reduced the necessity for foundation project made it possible to reuse the majority of
strengthening across the building. In areas where the building. Where new materials were required,
this was required, pile caps were extended such as to strengthen the foundations, more
and additional piling was implemented as an sustainable alternatives like cement replacement
effective solution, without the requirement for were selected.
temporary works and delays to construction
Thanks partly to energy-saving measures such
programmes. Full height atria in the entrances
as solar shading and a connection to the local
were designed by removal of floor slabs without
district heating system, the building has achieved
compromising the stability of the building.
a BREEAM Excellent rating.
Modifications to the perimeter structure have
been incorporated to achieve the performance Elsewhere on the site, the gantry structure (used
requirements for the new façade which is a key to house plant for the broadcast and media centres
aspect of the architectural vision. during the Games) was due to be demolished
but, alternatively, could be converted into studio
spaces.
C O L L A B O R AT I O N T O M A X I M I S E V A L U E
By developing an integrated design to optimise
space, Arup multidisciplinary engineers
combined components of the building services
into the structural elements of the building,
maximising floor heights and opening up
the space for Hawkins Brown’s remarkable
architectural scheme. With no ceilings within the
building, careful detailing of building services
was imperative to achieve the desired appearance
of the spaces.
A 3D design of the utilities and external
levels integrated with a BIM model provided
an extremely effective visualisation tool to
streamline the construction process.
34 ADAPTIVE REUSE 35
HOW ADAPTIVE REUSE CAN UNLOCK VALUE IN
EXISTING BUILDINGS
HELENE GOSDEN
Associate
36 ADAPTIVE REUSE 37
In the last 10 years
than demolition and rebuild office to residential conversions have been prevalent
Up to 70%
to bring back to market embodied carbon cut in reuse projects
40 ADAPTIVE REUSE 41
WHERE NEXT?
Over the last decade, we have seen a growing
trend for change of use, with office to residential
conversions particularly prevalent. Yet there
are still so many missed opportunities. In terms
of costs, refurbishment tends to be an easy win
versus demolition and rebuild. However, more
imagination is required at project feasibility
to recognise that the end product can also be
desirable.
We need to design buildings now that can flex
and adapt. We may not be able to predict the
future, but we can prepare for it. Therefore, new
buildings should be designed with a view to how
they will be regenerated in 20, 40, 60 and 80
years.
When submitting plans for an office block in
the early 1990s, could anyone reasonably have
foreseen, for example, the explosion of tech
companies or the exponential growth in demand
for co-working and collaborative workspaces?
Adaptive reuse is the future.
DESIGN MUSEUM
London, UK
© Allies and Morrison
42 ADAPTIVE REUSE 43
Expansive
Upgrading and
adding new space
to existing buildings
Reuse
N E W S C O T L A N D YA R D
London, UK
© Tim Soar
44 E X PA N S I V E R E U S E 45
46
Expansive
Reuse
Claridge’s Hotel 48
1 Triton Square 52
20 Old Bailey 68
47
How do you add a five-storey
basement while keeping a
five-star hotel operational?
AT A G L A N C E
When the owners of the world-famous Claridge’s
Hotel in Mayfair first proposed to build a
basement underneath the nine-storey building,
15 years ago, they were advised they would have
to close during construction.
Revisiting the idea with Arup and McGee ten
years later, we developed a creative solution to
excavate and construct a five-storey basement
while Claridge’s remained fully operational.
B U I LT
1856
CLIENT
McGee
Claridge’s Hotel
L O C AT I O N
Mayfair, London
London, UK
COMPLETION
2019
ARUP SERVICES
Geotechnics
Structural engineering
Tunnel design
Hydrogeology
Building Information Modelling
RECOGNITION
British Geotechnical Association
Fleming Award 2018
48 E X PA N S I V E R E U S E 49
B U I L D I N G O N O U R H E R I TA G E
Originally constructed 160 years ago, Claridge’s
is an iconic, Grade II listed London building.
Working collaboratively, we have added another
five storeys underground, creating an additional
5,500m² of space for a spa, swimming pool,
wine cellar, additional plant and back-of-
house facilities. It was all constructed without
impacting guests.
I N N O V AT I N G T O S O LV E C H A L L E N G E S
Due to the project’s location, materials going
in and out of the site needed to pass through a
single window opening. Our response involved
hand-digging small tunnels under the existing
ground-bearing raft slab. Circular shafts, 1.8m
in diameter, were hand-dug up to 30 metres deep
under each of the 62 existing building columns.
A total of 25,000m3 of materials were excavated.
Working in exceptionally tight spaces, five-
storey-high reinforced concrete columns were
built within the shafts, up to the underside of the
existing raft, providing vertical support to the
building above. To protect the hotel, the team
introduced real-time monitoring and facilities
to jack settlements at every column location
to mitigate the impact of ground movements.
The hotel’s original foundation slab is now
completely supported by the new columns and
piles.
C O L L A B O R AT I N G T O R E D U C E R I S K S
Claridge’s shows the benefits of
multidisciplinary design. Arup’s structural
engineers, geotechnical engineers, advanced
technology experts and research specialists
worked closely with McGee to prove the concept
and demonstrate that the scheme was buildable.
Together, we spent almost six months carrying
out detailed analysis, material tests and site
trials, including developing a programme of
dewatering, jacking and monitoring to minimise
risks.
50 E X PA N S I V E R E U S E 51
How do you double office space
and cut carbon in a 1990s office
building?
AT A G L A N C E
1 Triton Square was designed by Arup for British
Land in the 1990s. 20 years later, British Land
asked us to update the building for the latest
workstyles and performance standards.
The result? Three extra floors, twice as much
net office area and a BREEAM Outstanding
sustainability rating, all while retaining façades
and superstructure and without increasing plant
space. Once complete, 1 Triton Square will
provide an environmentally responsible, socially
active workplace for 4,000 people. It secured the
West End’s biggest pre-let in over 20 years.
B U I LT
1990s
CLIENT
British Land
L O C AT I O N
Camden, London
COMPLETION
2020
ARCHITECT
Arup
1 Triton Square
ARUP SERVICES
Architecture
Structural engineering
Building services (MEP) engineering
London, UK
Vertical transportation
Geotechnical engineering
Façade engineering
Acoustics
Sustainability consulting
Fire engineering
Wind engineering
RECOGNITION
BREEAM Outstanding
BREEAM Awards 2020 –
Best commercial project, design stage
World Architectural News Awards 2019 –
Best Future Workplace
52 E X PA N S I V E R E U S E 53
40,000 1,900
tonnes of carbon saved tonnes of steel saved
35,000 54%
tonnes of concrete saved total carbon saving
1 TRITON SQUARE
1998
© Alan Williams / Arup
C R E AT I N G P L A C E S P E O P L E P R E F E R CONTRIBUTING TO OUR
All design services are provided by our LOW-CARBON FUTURE
architects, engineers and specialists who We reused as much of the existing structure and
co-locate as a single team. Like Olympic athletes fabric as possible – 3,300m2 of limestone, 35,000
looking for marginal gains, we chipped away tonnes of concrete and 1,900 tonnes of steel.
at every aspect of the project to deliver the best This accounts for 45% of the total carbon saving,
working environment for customers and improve the remainder of which stems from our marginal
performance. Five panoramic terraces open up gains approach. These gains and sustainability
opportunities for socialising, working, exercising innovations mean that the building will achieve
and relaxing. Floor to ceiling glazing, 2.7m tall, a 54% carbon saving in construction and
fills offices and stairwells with natural daylight. operation versus a typical new build alternative.
Over 500 cycle spaces support active lifestyles The saving is equivalent to the annual energy
and nearly 500m2 of biodiverse green roofs consumption of over 10,000 UK homes.
encourage nature in the West End.
This exceeds the reduction curve for the UK’s
ambitious carbon target, set out in the Climate
Change Act to meet our national commitment
I N N O V AT I N G T O M A X I M I S E V A L U E
to the Paris Agreement. In fact, we have saved
The traditional approach for an old glazed façade
more carbon in design and construction than the
would be to buy new. Instead, we pioneered
building will produce in operation for over 40
a circular economy façade, removing and
years.
refurbishing 3,500m2 of panels at a pop-up
facility nearby. This approach has saved 1,270
tonnes of carbon and generated a 66% cost
saving against a like for like replacement.
We also implemented our first carbon fibre
column wraps. Instead of using concrete or steel,
where possible, we wrapped carbon fibre around
the original columns. This added substantial
strength, was faster to install and, at only 4mm
thick, maximised retained floorspace.
54 E X PA N S I V E R E U S E 55
How do you unite buildings and
create new exhibition spaces,
while keeping existing galleries
open?
AT A G L A N C E
Through our ten-year collaboration with David
Chipperfield Architects, Arup helped the Royal
Academy of Arts unveil an expanded campus for
its 250th anniversary.
This offers more space than ever before for
visitors to enjoy the arts and architecture.
Together, we united the Royal Academy’s Grade
I listed Burlington House and Grade II listed
Burlington Gardens, creating 70% more public
space, along with new galleries and a 260-seat
auditorium. This was all achieved while the
Royal Academy remained fully operational.
B U I LT
1768
Royal Academy of Arts
CLIENT
Royal Academy of Arts
L O C AT I O N
Piccadilly, London
COMPLETION
2018
ARCHITECT
London, UK
ARUP SERVICES
Building services (MEP) engineering
LIGHTING
Fire engineering
Security
BREEAM
RECOGNITION
BREEAM Very Good
56 E X PA N S I V E R E U S E 57
C O L L A B O R AT I N G T O S O LV E E N G I N E E R I N G I N N O V AT I O N S
CHALLENGES I N A H E R I TA G E S C H E M E
The Royal Academy was determined for existing We rethought how engineering systems are
buildings to remain operational and services arranged across the Royal Academy campus. Our
kept live during construction. So, we set about engineers and specialists sensitively integrated
overcoming the challenges this posed, given 21st century air conditioning, power and lighting
the many interfaces between existing and new systems into a 19th century building, which
systems, and critical services changeovers. We predated Edison’s invention of the lightbulb by
engaged with the Royal Academy to gain in- a decade. This included introducing modern
depth understanding of their operational regimes standards of gallery environmental controls,
and exhibitions programme. offering a range of scenarios from fully daylit to
dark galleries.
Our solution embedded a series of small
enabling works packages into the construction The team introduced services by unobtrusive
sequence in phases, to prepare existing and often invisible means, creating a seamless
systems to connect to new services without backdrop for the art. We used chimneys and
interruption. This also minimised the risk of lightwells to carve out strategically located plant
discovering hidden services and structures that rooms, routes and risers for building services.
could otherwise cause technical complications, Without impacting the heritage setting, changes
potentially leading to costly programme increased the resilience of systems, enhanced
extensions. facilities management capabilities, cut carbon
emissions, reduced operating costs, released
valuable space and created a better environment
for visitors. Subtle interventions by our fire
engineers also enabled the Royal Academy
to welcome more visitors, making the most
of existing circulation paths in the Victorian
building.
70%
more public space
260
seats in the auditorium
58 E X PA N S I V E R E U S E 59
How do you turn ageing offices
into modern workspace with a
panoramic rooftop extension?
AT A G L A N C E
Arup supported BDG Architecture + Design
and Matheson Whiteley in creating 20,000m2 of
modern office space at Sea Containers House,
re-energising existing floors, creating new links
between floors and adding a two-storey glazed
rooftop extension.
This prominent 1970s building on the River
Thames, originally designed as a luxury hotel
by American Modernist architect Warren Platner
and Arup, was refurbished by the landlord after
use as a traditional office. Arup undertook the
SMEP design for the revitalised office space.
B U I LT
1960s
CLIENT
Ogilvy Group UK
L O C AT I O N
COMPLETION
2015
ARCHITECT
Arup Architects, BDG Architecture +
Design and Matheson Whiteley
ARUP SERVICES
London, UK
Structural engineering
Building services (MEP) engineering
Acoustics
Access
Fire engineering
Theatre consulting
Sustainability
Security
ICT
RECOGNITION
BREEAM Excellent
BCO Innovation Award 2017
60 E X PA N S I V E R E U S E 61
B U I L D I N G O N O U R H E R I TA G E CONTRIBUTING TO OUR
Enjoying a landmark location next to Blackfriars LOW-CARBON FUTURE
Bridge, overlooking the Thames, Sea Containers Our sophisticated building management system
House was originally designed in the 1960s helped Sea Containers House achieve the
as a premium hotel and then repurposed to BREEAM Excellent sustainability standard.
commercial offices in the 1980s. Fast forward Repurposing the existing building has prolonged
30 years, and three floors were converted into the original buildings life for a further 20
a luxury hotel, with the floors above and below or more years. This regenerative design has
turned into modern workspace, arranged around deferred the construction of a new 20,000m2
multi-purpose circulation areas. office building which may have consumed from
12,000 to 24,000 Tonnes CO2 (source: RICS
Practitioners Guidance to Whole Life Carbon
I N N O V AT I N G T O M A X I M I S E V A L U E Assessments). Arup developed the office HVAC
As part of the office fit-out, new spaces include design to minimise energy consumption and
a stunning auditorium between levels 12 and used a sophisticated building management
13, with a café, bar and space for events and system, which helped Ogilvy & Mather (owners
presentations. Above, a new roof terrace offers of Sea Containers House) tenants realise energy
panoramic views of the Thames and a cocktail savings and contributed to obtaining the project
bar for people to enjoy. New staircases at all BREEAM Excellent certification.
levels link floors, open up views and create
breakout areas where people come together to
exchange ideas, work and socialise.
The Arup team enabled major interventions to
the base build, made more challenging by low
floor to ceiling heights in the original building,
successfully engineering generous floor to
ceiling heights and an exposed structure. We
added an additional storey, and also created
a large amphitheatre-type space which meant
developing a long span structure (column
removal) whilst keeping the existing roof intact.
© Maris Mezulis
62 E X PA N S I V E R E U S E 63
How do you strip out decades of
unplanned changes and add new
space to create an award-winning
HQ?
AT A G L A N C E
In partnership with architects Allford Hall
Monaghan Morris (AHMM), Arup helped
remodel and extend the 1930s Curtis
Green building to create an award-winning
headquarters for the Metropolitan Police Service.
Our multidisciplinary team engineered high
quality, flexible and efficient offices that
support the productivity and wellbeing of the
police force. A new glass entrance pavilion,
rooftop pavilion and reworking of existing
accommodation increased the gross internal floor
area by more than a third, from under 8,700m2 to
around 12,000m2.
B U I LT
1930s
CLIENT
Metropolitan Police Service
L O C AT I O N
New Scotland Yard
COMPLETION
2016
ARCHITECT
AHMM
London,UK
ARUP SERVICES
Civil and structural engineering
Building services (MEP) engineering
Façade engineering
Acoustics
Ecology
Sustainability (BREEAM)
Lighting
Fire engineering
Transport planning
Security
AV and ICT
64 E X PA N S I V E R E U S E 65
B U I L D I N G O N O U R H E R I TA G E MINIMISING RISK THROUGH
The neoclassical Curtis Green building holds D I G I TA L D O U B L E S
special heritage interest and sits in the Whitehall Using Building Information Modelling (BIM),
Conservation Area. It is located in a prominent Arup developed architectural and engineering
position on the River Thames, close to the 3D models for the wider design team throughout
Palace of Westminster. With decades of short- the project duration, keeping models updated
term refurbishments carried out in the building, as the project progressed. Combined with
the design team needed to strip out these regular virtual design reviews with the team,
interventions and take the building back to its this informed decision making and improved the
historical core – an early steel frame, encased in accuracy of cost and programme forecasting,
concrete, with a masonry and stone façade. reducing risk for the works on site.
S O LV I N G C H A L L E N G E S T H R O U G H
SMART ENGINEERING
The client needed a well serviced, resilient
building that operated 24/7, allowing for
high density occupancy in a positive working
environment. Challenges to achieving this
included the constraints of the existing building
structure, with shallow floor to floor heights,
and planning conditions due to its prominent
location.
To enhance the working environment, we raised
floor to ceiling heights by combining ventilation
and pipework systems within floor voids. This
also minimised the need for holes in the existing
structure, reducing costs and saving time. High
intensity power and data cabling makes high
density occupancy possible. A new glazed façade
also increases daylight indoors for wellbeing,
with shading to reduce glare. As standard for
Arup, everything was rigorously tested for safety
and resilience.
66 E X PA N S I V E R E U S E 67
How do you upgrade and grow OPENING UP OPPORTUNITIES
IN AN EXISTING BUILDING
a 1980s commercial building for Collaborating with Buckley Gray Yeoman
today’s workstyles? Architects, Arup prepared several options for
refreshing 20 Old Bailey, each with differing
levels of intervention. The client chose the
most ambitious option, adding two extra floors,
AT A G L A N C E
with views to St Paul’s and the City of London.
The design team was tasked with breathing
Through detailed analysis of the existing
new life into 20 Old Bailey, an ageing 1980s
structure, we were able to achieve this without
commercial building opposite the UK’s Central
substantial strengthening works.
Criminal Court.
Structural changes included adding a single
Arup’s involvement enabled two extra floors
central core containing a staircase, lifts and
to be added without the need for substantial
washrooms, as well as relocating the atrium and
strengthening works, as well as improvements to
replacing a significant area of façade to improve
existing floors and building services. The final
the experience for people in the building.
design increased the net internal area by 20%,
We joined steel beams to existing concrete
adding around 5,100m² of space. The scheme
connections to form new openings for the atrium
was fully let soon after completion, reflecting its
and the core. Works were carefully programmed
contemporary appeal.
for delivery in one of London’s busiest business
districts, near high-security law courts.
B U I LT
1980s
MAXIMISING VALUE THROUGH SMART
CLIENT ENGINEERING
Severn Investment, Blackstone Working closely with the architect, our engineers
tightly integrated services and structure,
L O C AT I O N improving the net to gross efficiency for the
City of London office floors to around 85%. We relocated
rooftop plant to the basement, freeing up office
COMPLETION space and allowing for the creation of additional
2017
roof terraces. We also upgraded building services
to provide occupiers with a comfortable working
ARCHITECT
Buckley Gray Yeoman environment to Grade A office standards.
ARUP SERVICES
20 Old Bailey
Façade engineering
The combination of façade improvements,
Vertical transportation
Fire engineering highly efficient plant, heat pumps that recycle
Materials consulting waste heat from the cooling system and a
Transport planning rooftop photovoltaic array that generates clean
BREEAM assessment power, have improved operational energy
Initial security
performance, cut carbon emissions and reduced
Access and maintenance
Acoustics operating costs. This helped the building achieve
its BREEAM Excellent sustainability target,
RECOGNITION including two innovation credits.
BCO Award shortlisted 2017
BREEAM Excellent
68 E X PA N S I V E R E U S E 69
HOW TECHNOLOGY IS OPENING UP OPPORTUNITIES
FOR EXISTING BUILDINGS
JAMES WARD
Associate Director
70 E X PA N S I V E R E U S E 71
D I G I TA L T O O L S U N L O C K I N G
EXISTING BUILDINGS
Cheap and ubiquitous laser scanning and
photographic conversion allow us to create
detailed models of existing architecture, structure
and MEP systems with unprecedented accuracy
and speed.
At the city scale, drone and digital conversion
mean we can create topographic surveys in
days, not months.
Laser scanning with precision, we can create a
1:1 impression of existing landscape, building,
façade, structure and services, converting this
to a base model for the design team to work
from as needed. Where we cannot expose parts
of the building for inspection, skilled surveyors
and engineers can interpret and interpolate to
complete the picture. Artificial intelligence will
soon join these dots for us.
Using technology, we can interrogate the
performance of a building to make informed
decisions. For instance, infrared surveys show
surface temperatures, revealing where heat or
cooling is escaping through a façade or whether
remote radiators are working at the correct
temperature. Building management systems can
tell us how well (or not) services are working
and identify historical issues.
Laser scanning
to create a precise 1:1 base model
3D models
to explore virtual design options
Virtual reality
to transform design options
72 E X PA N S I V E R E U S E 73
USING TECHNOLOGY TO IMPROVE Wearing a cordless headset, clients and potential
C O M M U N I C AT I O N , D E S I G N A N D occupiers can also walk through their existing
CONSTRUCTION space with alternative designs mapped onto
Visualisation technologies can overlay design reality (augmented reality), experiencing spatial
option onto existing building fabric, to show how clarity and making informed decisions in a way
they will look. This is improving how we engage that has not been possible before.
with planners, heritage consultants and interested
members of the public. Technologies include
camera matching techniques that replicate the
perspective of the lens in the software, both
on static images and on fly-through footage.
These can also be used to test alterations well in
advance of procurement, making sure they are
sensitive to the existing context.
Once we create 3D models, the design team can
explore virtual design options with the wider
team and optimise solutions using parametric
techniques. By explaining changes to occupiers,
contractors and operators in 3D and with data in
the model, they gain clearer understanding. For
instance, 3D annotated models can communicate
clearly to contractors exactly what needs to be
removed. As construction progresses, quick
rescanning of exposed areas empowers the
design team to make timely changes.
Virtual reality has enormous potential to
transform how teams consider design options,
collaborate and make informed decisions,
reducing risk and waste. At the design stage,
we are already using simple goggles with client
smartphones to explore issues and opportunities.
Sending a link to a remote client means that
designs can be understood and discussed quickly
and easily.
74 E X PA N S I V E R E U S E 75
USING TECHNOLOGY TO IMPROVE WHERE NEXT?
B U I L D I N G O P E R AT I O N S Circular economy principals are driving reuse
Refurbishments often involve complex and recycling of whole areas of the built
reworking of existing structures and services. environment. Refurbishment plays a strong
Historic records are critical to unlocking a part in this economy, and the whole industry
building’s next life. We create 3D videos and needs to prepare for the next life of buildings.
live walkthroughs for clients, overlaying models Maintaining information during a building’s
of electrical systems, heating, ventilation and air entire lifespan makes its reinvention more
conditioning components and structural design. likely and straightforward. Looking ahead, it is
This allows the user to ‘see through walls’ to find exciting to think how technology will increase
out where everything is located, making future opportunities to design and construct for
changes easier. We also flag components that demountability, reuse and repurposing. These are
are operating outside their design parameters all areas that will make refurbishments easier,
and may be faulty. The Internet of Things brings cheaper, faster and more sustainable.
growing potential for granularity, wider reporting
parameters and live reporting, which can be used
to improve experiences for people in buildings.
CIRCULAR HOUSE
Constructed for the London Design Festival 2016.
© Daniel Imade / Arup
Virtual reality viewers share
alternative designs for clients and
project teams to experience.
© Paul Carstairs / Arup
76 E X PA N S I V E R E U S E 77
Enhancing performance
and extending the life of
existing buildings
Proactive
Reuse
ENGINEERING BUILDING
UNIVERSITY OF LEICESTER, UK
© Simon Kennedy
78 PROACTIVE REUSE 79
80
Proactive
Reuse
Engineering Building 86
Broadgate Circle 92
81
How can you unlock the
commercial future of a listed
building at risk?
AT A G L A N C E
Among the best surviving examples of Victorian
architecture in Birmingham, The Grand Hotel
had ceased trading and fallen into a state of
disrepair.
When the owners looked at the cost of repairing
the Grade II* listed building’s façade, they were
advised it would be prohibitively expensive.
They invited Arup to explore what might be
possible and we found a way to complete the
restoration work at a fraction of the cost. We
went on to design and specify the successful
conservation project, helping unlock a new
commercial future for this iconic building.
B U I LT
1870s
CLIENT
Hortons’ Estate Ltd
L O C AT I O N
Birmingham
Birmingham, UK
The Grand Hotel
COMPLETION
2015
ARUP SERVICES
Heritage consultancy
Façade engineering
Materials consultancy
Structural engineering
RECOGNITION
Victorian Society West Midlands
Conservation Award 2016
RICS West Midlands Commercial
Award 2017
IStructE
Midland Counties Structural
Engineering Awards Structural
Heritage for Buildings Award 2017
82 PROACTIVE REUSE 83
B U I L D I N G O N O U R H E R I TA G E S O LV I N G H I S T O R I C C H A L L E N G E S
The Grand Hotel was originally built by Isaac The hotel stonework was covered in a hard
Horton in the 1870s and is still owned by the and inappropriate render – a thick build-up of
Horton family today. Constructed to designs cement, paint, bitumen and resin – which was
by Thomson Plevins, The Grand is the largest cracking apart. This render had trapped moisture
building on Colmore Row, often described as the within the stone behind and, in places, the stone
city’s most prestigious commercial address. The was soft enough to tear by hand. The render was,
Horton family ran the hotel until 1969. It was in effect, holding the unstable masonry together
subsequently managed by a number of operators but was itself decaying – a concerning situation.
until it closed in 2002. After a piece of masonry
Along with a history of insensitive repairs, we
dropped from the building’s cornice in 2003, a
uncovered issues with the original design. These
crash-deck scaffold was erected around the upper
included weathering details that did not work
floors to catch any further falling debris. The
correctly; rather than pushing rainwater away,
building was Grade II* listed in 2004.
the cornices and string courses, by now covered
with a thick crust of concrete, were absorbing
it. The stone itself also appeared to be of poor
quality, unsuitable for areas of heavy exposure.
Stripping away the coatings and stabilising the
damaged stonework would eat significantly into
the façade, destroying its carved details and
strict planar relationships. Arup developed a set
of conservation principles to sympathetically S O U R C I N G L O C A L LY
restore the façade. We reinstalled the entire D E TA I L S The restoration project sourced both labour and
ornate finish of the building, keeping the © Thomas Pearson materials locally where possible, supporting
quantity of new stone to a minimum. local businesses and craftspeople. Masons from
Our structural engineers were subsequently Midland Conservation Ltd carried out repairs
engaged in works to redesign the internal using traditional tools and techniques. Working
structure, in preparation for its reopening as a by hand, they conserved almost every piece of
luxury hotel, offices and shops. decorative carving and most of the plain ashlar
stone. In 2015, English Heritage described the
scale and traditional nature of the stonemasonry
at The Grand Hotel as unique for a non-
ecclesiastical building.
84 PROACTIVE REUSE 85
How do you conserve an early
postmodernist building to meet
21st century standards?
AT A G L A N C E
The University of Leicester’s Engineering
Building, designed by James Stirling and James
Gowan, is an early example of postmodernist
design that continues to inspire architects today.
After over 50 years of service, the University
needed to replace the distinctive roof and
façade areas, and upgrade the building services.
Arup was lead designer for a project which
solved these challenges, while remaining true
to the original architecture, creating a positive
environment for students to learn and be
inspired.
University of Leicester, UK
B U I LT
1963
Engineering Building
CLIENT
University of Leicester
L O C AT I O N
Leicester
COMPLETION
2017
ARUP SERVICES
Heritage consultancy
Façade design and engineering
Structural engineering
Building services (MEP) engineering
RECOGNITION
East Midlands Property Dinner Awards 2017
Construction Project of the Year
SFE Façade of the Year 2018 Refurbishment
AJ Retrofit Awards 2017 Listed Building Over £5m
Shortlist
86 PROACTIVE REUSE 87
B U I L D I N G O N O U R H E R I TA G E I N N O V AT I N G T O S O LV E C H A L L E N G E S
Opened in 1963, the Grade II* listed building We upgraded building services, replacing dated
was named among the ten best post-war equipment with more efficient technologies and
buildings in Britain by Historic England in 2015, refurbishing original components where possible.
who described it as ‘a synthesis of traditional We hid new elements in floor trenches or designed
and modern elements that is wholly British’. them to complement the functional interior design.
Sadly, the condition of the building’s famous We also introduced a control system that can be
workshop glazing had deteriorated, and Arup adapted to changing patterns of use and linked
was commissioned to solve problems including with additional systems, fulfilling the engineering
leaks, poor thermal performance and a lack department’s needs today and into the future.
of safe access for maintenance, with the thin
Combined with the more efficient façade,
glazing and roof structure making access for
this updated system supports the University’s
cleaning and repair impossible in places.
commitment to reduce carbon emissions across its
campus.
G E T T I N G T H E D E TA I L R I G H T
It may seem simple to remove an old roof and
replace it with one made to the same shape and
of similar materials. However, the new roof had
to allow for significant distortions in the retained
structure to meet today’s stricter performance
and safety standards. It also needed to satisfy
the local authority conservation office, Historic
England and the Twentieth Century Society.
We refined every detail to make the restoration
authentic and successful. This included replacing
2,500 glass panels on the roof, shaping each
one to fit the existing warped structure. These
double-glazed units are twice as heavy and more
than twice as thick as the original single glazing,
requiring a geometrical offset to each surface.
The change in width of the framing was limited
to a few millimetres in all cases. Significantly
narrower than industry standard, the new glazing
bars provide structural integrity while replicating
the visual lightness of the original design. The
new envelope is watertight and airtight, with
natural ventilation openings to relieve high
temperatures. Building on the success of this
project, Arup was nominated as Conservation
Champion for the building.
88 PROACTIVE REUSE 89
How do you make a leaky C O L L A B O R AT I N G T O O V E R C O M E
CHALLENGES
hospital wing fit for purpose The 13-storey East Wing contains over 200
without affecting operations? beds, catheter suites, clinical offices, teaching
facilities, ancillary plant and stores. The ageing
structure was suffering from water leaks, poor
energy efficiency, excessive solar gain and
AT A G L A N C E
inadequate lifts. Working in partnership with
Constructed in the 1960s, St Thomas’ Hospital
Hopkins Architects and contractor ISG, we
East Wing was no longer fit for purpose and
devised a way to fix this without interrupting
needed a major overhaul. Yet, as the hospital’s
hospital operations.
home for cardiac and intensive care, it also
needed to stay fully functional for patients and Together, we retained the existing façade while
staff. This was our top priority. adding a new layer of glass to create a double
skin façade with timber louvres in the cavity.
This has weatherproofed the building, improved
its energy performance and reduced solar gain.
At the rear of the building, we expanded the
second skin glazing to create two bright and
airy atria. These accommodate large, urgently
needed lifts for patients, speeding up transfers
St Thomas’ Hospital East Wing
RECOGNITION
Schueco Excellence Awards
2016 Health Project Award
European Healthcare Design Awards
2016 Design for Conversion or Infill Award
AJ Retrofit Awards
2016 Health and Wellbeing Project
90 PROACTIVE REUSE 91
How do you reimagine 1980s
retail, restaurant and events space
for today’s visitors?
AT A G L A N C E
Originally designed by Arup in the late 1980s,
Broadgate Circle is a heritage space at the heart
of Broadgate, next to Liverpool Street Station.
Fast forward nearly 30 years and British Land
asked us to reimagine the space for today’s
visitors. Broadgate Circle is now a food, drink
and leisure destination, home to 11 restaurant
brands and a mix of street food traders. It hosts
a range of events and attracts thousands of
visitors. This is part of our wider role supporting
British Land and GIC’s £1bn transformation
of Broadgate, the largest pedestrianised
neighbourhood in central London.
B U I LT
1980s
CLIENT
British Land
L O C AT I O N
Broadgate, London
COMPLETION
Broadgate Circle
2020
ARCHITECT
Arup
London, UK
ARUP SERVICES
Architecture
Structural engineering
Building services (MEP) engineering
Geotechnics
Façade engineering
Acoustics
Fire
Lighting
Security
Transport planning
Vertical transportation
Wind engineering
92 PROACTIVE REUSE 93
B U I L D I N G O N O U R H E R I TA G E
Celebrating the original qualities of the Circle,
we retained and restored the colonnade of
54 travertine columns, rising 14m high. We
meticulously matched new travertine panels to
the original stone, selected from Tivoli, Rome.
Stonemasons crafted the rebates and curved
sections at interfaces.
C R E AT I N G P L A C E S P E O P L E P R E F E R
We designed infrastructure, lighting, planting
and maintenance, so Broadgate Circle could
be transformed effortlessly, day and night. The
4,150m2 space now hosts an array of events
year-round, including live music, pop up retail,
theatre, cinema screenings and outdoor sports.
We reinvented how people are drawn into the
space and move around. The upgraded southern
entrance and north-west entrance now have clear
sightlines. Three wide new staircases make it
easier for people to move between ground and
lower ground levels.
We lowered the elevated circle to improve the
quality and scale of retail space and enhance
sightlines. Through clever structural surgery,
retail units that were once hidden from view and
struggling, are now transformed into an open,
thriving retail environment.
CONTRIBUTING TO A
GREENER FUTURE
We retained more than 80% of the existing
structure, reducing lifecycle carbon emissions
and cutting construction costs. To support local
biodiversity, we planted ecologically valuable
climbing plants, such as honeysuckle, on
existing living walls and a green trellis. These
connect to Broadgate’s wider green network that
offers people opportunities to encounter nature,
which, studies show, boosts wellbeing. We also
introduced a highly efficient irrigation network,
with rainwater harvesting and an automatic
watering system that adapts to changing weather
patterns.
94 PROACTIVE REUSE 95
S T PA N C R A S I N T E R N AT I O N A L :
H O W H E R I T A G E C A N B E A C A T A LY S T F O R R E G E N E R A T I O N
THOMAS PEARSON
Associate
96 PROACTIVE REUSE 97
“Here is a gothic fairy tale brought
up to date, setting a new standard
for Britain’s railways, and bringing
new life to one of Europe’s most
compelling buildings.”
THE GUARDIAN
98 PROACTIVE REUSE 99
H O W D I G I TA L D O U B L E S C A N I M P R O V E E X PA N D I N G D I G I TA L D O U B L E S T O GAINING INSIGHTS INTO THE FUTURE
PERFORMANCE IN EXISTING BUILDINGS IMPROVE PERFORMANCE T H R O U G H D I G I TA L D O U B L E S
Advances in building control systems, Internet As well as improving how buildings are
of Things sensors, online analytic platforms managed, digital doubles can help us forecast
and artificial intelligence have the potential to their future performance more accurately. By
transform how buildings are managed, adding calibrating potential outcomes against current
valuable layers to digital doubles. performance, we can predict the impact of
marginal improvements on areas such as
For instance, by looking at live occupier
environmental comfort and energy performance.
satisfaction, environmental sensor and energy
We can also use expanded digital doubles for
consumption data together, we get a more
A building’s digital history RECOGNISING THE VALUE more significant projects, as they provide a
rounded view of operational performance.
O F D I G I TA L D O U B L E S well calibrated starting point. Arup AssetMAP
spans design, construction, In design and construction, the power of
We can go beyond the current schedule-based
integrates architecture and engineering data
maintenance contracts and instead incentivise
maintenance and operational Building Information Modelling (BIM) to maintenance contractors on performance
with financial and risk analysis. This helps us
reduce risk and improve the accuracy of cost quickly identify which retrofit and refurbishment
performance. outcomes. In turn, this will create an incentive to
options for a building offer the best value
and programme forecasting is well recognised. generate the skills needed in the industry.
outcomes. We can then prioritise opportunities to
By bringing all this data together Data captured via laser scanning is being used
The skills gap is a key barrier to the use of enhance commercial returns, reduce carbon and
to create digital doubles of existing buildings,
in a single, open-source digital aiding design. 3D models are increasingly digital doubles in facilities management. reduce risk. This is virtual rapid prototyping for
model, we can improve building improving information flow from design into Existing maintenance contracts have led to a buildings.
construction too. gradual deskilling of the maintenance workforce,
performance. This is expanding driven by commercial incentives to minimise
In operation, the situation is quite different.
the concept of the digital double There is not yet a clear understanding of the
costs. A F U T U R E L I N K B E T W E E N D I G I TA L
DOUBLES AND ASSET VALUE
– a virtual model of a building – value that digital doubles could add. The image Getting the most out of digital doubles also
Demonstrating building performance is
of operation and maintenance files gathering requires a different set of skills to conventional
adding important layers of live maintenance contracts, skills such as those of
increasingly important in the UK property
dust on shelves may be a thing of the past for market. Design and construction assessments,
information. new buildings, but we are now seeing the digital cloud computing specialists and data scientists.
such as BREEAM ratings and Energy
equivalent. Project teams pass online portals Creating the market transformation needed
Performance Certificates, now sit alongside
over to facilities management teams, but models for digital doubles to be effectively used and
assessments that look at operational
are not maintained and quickly go out of date. maintained is undoubtedly a bigger challenge
performance. These include WELL certification
In many older buildings, dusty folders on a than creating the doubles in the first place.
and the Better Buildings Partnership’s Design
shelf are still the reality. New tools to create 3D for Performance rating, which seeks to create
models of existing buildings, using combinations an operational energy performance rating for
of photographic and scanning technologies, the UK, similar to the successful Australian
are developing rapidly and costs are reducing NABERS programme.
all the time. These could dramatically reduce
risk on complex refurbishment projects, but the In a market where operational performance
opportunity has yet to be fully grasped. is ever more important, a building that
demonstrates good performance is likely to be
Clearer briefs for operational BIM at the start of more valuable than one that cannot. An expanded
projects would lead to 3D models that are more digital double is not only a tool to improve
useful for facilities management teams. With building performance, it can also evidence that
greater ‘pull’ from the facilities management performance. So, as the link between building
industry, there would also be more investment performance and asset value becomes stronger,
in software tools to integrate digital models with digital doubles will become a critical part of
maintenance records. maintaining and enhancing asset value.
STEPHEN HILL
Associate
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ageing offices into flexible workspaces, derelict
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structures into homes, as well as extending the
life of historic buildings and upgrading their
performance.
As the examples in this brochure show, all our
The Encyclopedia of Arup
projects are unique, informed by our experience Bringing together our diverse skills to future-proof your investment
in an ever-expanding number of disciplines
and sectors. We design and adapt buildings and
places, so they produce the greatest value for In transforming existing buildings, the unexpected
clients and the best experiences for people. often happens.
In today’s increasingly low-carbon, digital
and wellbeing focused world, our projects are
Whatever challenges our clients face, Arup has the
underpinned by a philosophy and commitment to skills and services to help. We bring together strategic,
fulfilling client aspirations by creating smart and technical, environmental and operational design experts
healthy buildings for happy and satisfied people.
to create the best environments for today’s needs and
generations to come.
102 OUR SERVICES 103
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Coal Drops Yard King’s Cross, London UK Claridges Hotel, London UK Engineering Building, University of Leicester,
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Africa © Arup 92
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