Eighty Strand

Workplace, Leisure, Listed

Retrofit and new entrance pavilion for the iconic, Grade II listed Shell Mex House, creating a flexible workplace for the future. The design was developed from detailed concepts and drawings by architect Duncan Mitchell, structural engineer Simon Bennett and the client, Strandbrook.

Client: Strandbrook
Location: London
Size: 14,860 sqm
Status: Completed

Fronting onto the Thames and formed around two courtyards, the commercial office building design is typical of the Art Deco era. The Strand courtyard features a glazed entrance pavilion which signposts a new fast-track, way in from the street, orientating the building towards the vibrance of Covent Garden. Originally a back of house delivery and parking area, this new space is now activated with F&B venues. The reception leads to new meeting, lounge and café areas for tenants and a previously unused central courtyard is a new tranquil working and meeting space. Active travel is introduced at basement level with ‘hotel’ style changing areas.

In addition to the transformation of the common areas, four floors of office accommodation, some 160,000 sq ft, were refurbished. Open plan interiors have been stripped down to the original riveted columns with exposed services. Secondary glazing has also been added to improve the building fabric and ventilation, heating and cooling systems were upgraded

Key interventions, light touch retrofit:

Office floorplates: 90 metres long and among the largest in the West End. Exposed services are designed for maximum flexibility and minimal tenant alteration.
Windows: secondary glazing to the office floors achieves a u-value of 2.1W/m2K
Ventilation: two Air Handling Units on the roof (13th floor), distributed via four service risers on the office floor plates.
Greener spaces: A tranquil indoor/outdoor space is created in the central courtyard. It was previously used for services equipment.
Active travel: 406 bike parking spaces, e-bike charging, lockers and ‘hotel’ style changing.
EPC: increased from D to B.
Certification: BREEAM Very Good, Wired Scored Gold