160 city office

Brief
The clients were a collective of insurance specalists in a small office building on Lovat Lane in the historic Monument district of the City of London within walking distance of Lloyds of London and close to Pudding Lane, origin of the great fire of 1666. The building is listed and so we developed discrete sets of works to present to the Conservation Officers, reorganising the building to serve the collective more efficiently. The site of Billingsgate Market is nearby, where fish from the entire east coast of Britain were brought on the tide to the quay below London Bridge, including quantities of Salmon from the Scottish fisheries of Lord Lovat.

Design Solutions
The key to the project was the fire strategy and the provision of a protected route to the lane at the front from the tall narrow building, this needed careful review in relation to any alterations. The clients wanted a focus on communal working in addition to cellular office space, so we re-organised the ground floor and gave it over to meeting and social space to create a club atmosphere for clients and visitors just off the lane, previously they had to climb the winding stair to a meeting room on the third floor. We then reorganised the upper floors to allow for a range of group and individual working scenarios.

Feedback
It was fascinating to research the history of this part of London and the fabric of the building. This research, respect for the historic fabric, and a strong attention to detail made for a comprehensive Listed Buildings Consent Application that was well received by the Guildhall's Conservation Officers and consent was given for the proposals. Click on the map below to see the heritage report in full.