Synergy House, Bloomsbury

DWD led the design team to deliver the client’s aspiration to refurbish a 1950’s office building in a sustainable way by increasing the available floorspace through rear infill extensions and an additional 5^th floor roof extension that is not visible from the street in order to protect the existing roof line within the Bloomsbury Conservation Area. The scheme achieved a BREEAM ‘Excellent’ rating and this was further enhanced by a follow up application to clad the front Southampton Row elevation with a Green Living Wall.

The London Borough of Camden initially resisted the Living Wall concept in a Conservation Area and refused the application however a successful appeal demonstrated how the living wall would preserve and enhance the character of the Bloomsbury Conservation Area, whilst helping Camden and the Greater London Authority meet their sustainability goals and improve air quality. This was the first planning approval in London for a living wall to an entire front elevation in a Conservation Area and the scheme was completed in 2017.

Photos Credit: Biotecture Ltd