dMFK Architects’ reimagination of 1970s office building 45 Whitfield Street for Derwent London delivers 18,000 sqft of wellbeing-focused flexible workspace. 

Situated in the heart of Fitzrovia, the carefully crafted refurbishment has enhanced the materiality, identity and street presence that had been diluted through successive historic interventions.

The 1970s building had been subjected to a series of fit outs over the past half-century and no longer met the needs of modern office workers. Our approach to delivering a successful, lasting refurbishment was to view the project as a restoration of 45 Whitfield Street to its true self; finding joy in its unloved assets whilst solving problems that have emerged alongside evolving ways of working.

In response, the architectural design has carefully introduced new legibility throughout 45 Whitfield Street; improving connections across and between each floor, activating the ground level to create a clearly defined, inviting entrance, and transforming the basement into state-of-the-art end-of-trip facilities.

High-quality finishes inspired by the building’s existing features have been incorporated throughout to enhance warmth and tactility, such as joinery informed by the timber lozenges of 45 Whitfield Street’s striking existing windows and well-articulated precast concrete façade. Countertops made from recycled timber scraps salvaged from disused sawmills complement the building’s dark timber surrounds and new terrazzo-style tiling whilst preserving the 1970s-era heritage atmosphere.

“The retrofit of 45 Whitfield Street has created a sophisticated, statement-making workplace fitting of the neighbourhood it is set within. We worked closely with the team at dMFK to select materials that introduce warmth, tactility and character throughout the interior, drawing inspiration from the building’s beautiful existing lozenge windows with curved timber reveals. We are absolutely delighted with the end result.”

Rebecca Lesser, Group Interiors at Derwent London