Walsingham House – a prominent 1930s office building in the City of London’s Trinity Square Conservation Area – has undergone an extensive structural renovation by John Robertson Architects (JRA) for KHI Holdings Group. Originally designed by Howard & Souster in 1928-29, the building is defined by a classical Portland stone façade and sits on the corner of Crutched Friars, Seething Lane and Pepys Street, with the Grade I-listed St Olaves’s Church and the Grade II* listed Trinity Square directly adjacent.
The practice infilled the existing lightwell with new core facilities to create clean, practical floorplates which incorporate flexible workspaces and Grade A office accommodation suitable for modern occupiers. Two new levels have been added and the building’s overall sustainability credentials, energy efficiency and accessibility has been improved, with the building expected to recieve BREEAM ‘Excellent’ certification. The original pitched roof has been removed, while two new levels (the eighth and ninth floors) are set back to respect the scale of the adjacent buildings on Pepys Street and Seething Lane. The new cladding carefully blends with the existing Portland stone façade, cornice line and original fenestration of the floors below.
The three uppermost floors boast new private terraces with panoramic views of some of London’s most notable landmarks. At ground level, the existing stone portico has been retained and the entrance enhanced by JRA to provide a fully accessible entrance leading to a contemporary open-plan reception workspace, featuring original artwork by Christian Bahr. Two new office units have also been created at ground level, with flexibility to be converted into future retail units if required.
JRA has respectfully reworked the building’s classical Italianate Portland stone façade, whilenew decorative metal panels evoke Art Deco stylistic touches. This adds embellishmentdetails and relief to the spandrel panel on the top floor and visually links the top and baseof the building. The existing stonework was also cleaned and any existing defects repaired.
New high-performance glazing replaces the previous single-glazed windows, maximising daylight within the office spaces and reducing the need for artificial lighting, while limiting solar gain and energy consumption. Significant archaeological findings were uncovered during the project, originating from the Roman, medieval and post-medieval periods. This includes the remains of a late 18th-centurybasement that formed part of the East India Company warehouse and once covered 70% of the site. Approximately 20 different skeletons were also recovered, predominantly dating from the post-medieval period when part of the site existed as the churchyard to St Olave’s Church on Hart Street. A quantity of Roman material was discovered, including several copper alloy coins.
Material Used :
1. Portland Stone – Facade (refurbished existing and new portland stone)
2. Moleanos Stone–cladding to 9F
3. New Crittall windows (replacement of existing)
4. Decorative Anodised feature panels (9F)
5. New feature timber portico to entrance door (replicating the existing)
6. New anodised drum sliding main entrance door (Blasi)
7. Composite timber decking (Millboard)
8. New Calacatta Borghini and Carerra marble flooring (Reception)
9. Calacatta Borghini marble lift fronts to reception
10. DeCasteli lift doors and architraves to all floors
11. New lift car fit outs including de castelli call points and marble flooring (to match reception)
12. DeCasteli feature panel in reception
13. Sesame concealed lift in reception
14. Feature artwork by Christian Bahr
