JRA’s repositioning of The Northcliffe, the Grade II listed former headquarters and printworks of the Daily Mail newspaper.
Newspaper Epicentre
The Northcliffe is a historically sensitive reimagining of the former headquarters and print works of the Daily Mail newspaper in Tudor Street, close to Fleet Street, in the City of London.
JRA’s redesign incorporates the Grade II Listed façade of the original 1920s building, and extends the building across two floors to offer 17,344 m2 of office space centred around a spectacular reimagined atrium. The Northcliffe is WELL Ready and offers extensive amenities, including three new landscaped roof terraces, lounge spaces, a library area, a quiet room, end-of-trip facilities, a café and a retail unit, all unified by references to the building’s post-industrial heritage.
JRA’s design achieved BREEAM ‘Outstanding,’ which less than 1% of refurbished buildings have achieved to date, and is certified EPC B. The project saved 53% of global warming potential versus demolition by retaining the superstructure and building fabric, and exceeds RIBA’s 2030 embodied energy emissions targets. The practice’s sustainable approach has been informed by a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) commissioned by the Client.
Massing
The extensions at the upper two levels step back from the Daily Mail façade, allowing for three new south facing ‘green’ roof terraces to be formed at levels 5, 6 and 7. These new ‘green’ terraces link with the existing terrace on Bouverie Street and Whitefriars Street and are wide enough to provide usable external landscaped terraces for occupiers.
Activating the Ground Floor
The main entrance of the building has been relocated, placed centrally on Tudor Street and within the original Daily Mail façade. It marks a new era for the building and draws users and visitors alike into the heart of the revitalised, hospitality style reception. The interior design is inspired by the rich history of the 1920s, focusing on strong geometries, bold use of colour and pattern, and high quality, crafted finishes.
Atrium
The reconfigured and extended atrium is the central feature of the building, around which the office floors and key circulation routes are organised. It provides natural daylighting for the office spaces and visual interest at the heart of the workplace. It is an integral part of the user and visitor experience, with a feature stair located at ground floor level connecting the lower ground floor to the main entrance hall.
Façade
The new terrace façade was inspired by the 1925 gridded industrial aesthetic of the copper-light window glazing of the Daily Mail façade. It has been re-interpreted to provide a contemporary aesthetic for the new elevations – these unify the design of the new office space by referencing the post-industrial history of the site.
External Terraces
Levels five, six and seven feature landscaped terraces that utilised 8,163 plants made up of over 55 species to create a country garden experience, enclosed by glass balustrading and perimeter planting. The terraces have been designed to provide a variety of spaces in which to work, relax and ‘to do more’. The terraces at level five and six have been demised to the adjacent office tenant and the level seven terrace is an amenity for the whole building.
Sustainable by Design
Responding to the climate crisis was a priority at The Northcliffe. A Life Cycle Assessment was conducted to ensure the client’s sustainability goals were met. The LCA confirmed the benefit of retaining the superstructure and building fabric, saving 53% of global warming potential versus demolition. The building possesses 40m2 of solar panels, 910m2 of landscaped terraces with biodiverse planting, 345 cycle spaces and extensive premium end of trip facilities. In use, all waste is diverted from landfill, the building is powered by 100% renewable electric energy and has greater than 55% more efficient water consumption. In addition to BREEAM ‘Outstanding,’ the building is certified EPC B and the design exceeds RIBA 2030 targets for sustainability.
Etain Fitzpatrick, Associate Director, JRA: “Our design approach has sought to preserve as much of the original structure as possible, while referring to The Northcliffe’s historic use as a journalistic and publishing hub. It also allows The Northcliffe to adapt to the requirements of the modern, post-pandemic, workforce. To achieve this, we have extended two levels without any significant impact on views from street level and have provided a selection of attractive, landscaped external areas where tenants and visitors can meet and enjoy views across the river and towards the City of London. The Northcliffe’s original structure– based on a steel-clad frame embedded in reconstituted stone and brickwork – has helped to guide our thinking on the refurbishment. This has resulted in a modern, open[1]plan and highly sustainable workspace which is still respectful of the original building in its approach, with a strong sense of authenticity. For example, the relationship between the 1920s façade and the floorplates is immediately evident to occupiers. At a granular level, many of the Art Deco, neo-Egyptian architectural features of the original Northcliffe House have been subtly referenced in the geometric patterns and colour schemes used throughout the refurbished building.”
Team:
Architect: John Robertson Architects (JRA)
Development Manager: M3 Consulting
Structural Engineer: Waterman Structures Ltd
M&E Consultant / Sustainability Consultant: Watkins Payne Partnership
QS: Gardiner + Theobald
Fire Engineering Consultant: Jenson Hughes
Landscape Consultant: Townshend Landscape Architects
Facade Consultant: Thornton Tomasetti
Acoustic Consultant: Hann Tucker Associates
Security Consultant: Troup Bywaters & Anders
Façade Access & Maintenance Consultant: D2E
Lighting Consultant: Watkins Payne Partnership
Principal Designer: John Robertson Architects (JRA) / Bureau Veritas
Approved Building Inspector: Sweco Building Control
Main Contractor: ISG
Heritage Consultant: KM Heritage
Daylight & Sunlight Consultant: Point 2 Surveyors
Planning Consultant: DP9
Transport Consultant: Sweco
