Retrofit of an existing office building with rear and roof extensions in the heart of Westminster
Rochester Row, in Westminster, London is a varied street, containing a mix of buildings ranging from three to eight storeys in height. This site is an existing four storey concrete framed brick building, which sits between Willow Place and Stillington Street. Built in the 1970’s the existing building currently contains a mix of uses including, office space, residential units and a conference facility, each with a separate entrance. It has small tinted windows and a mixture of rooftop features, including dormer windows, plant enclosure and lift over-runs.
The proposal retains the part of the existing building which contains the conference facility and residential units. The commercial part of the building will be extended to the rear, and a new core will be located centrally on the floorplate. The existing façade will be replaced with one of a subtly different red brick, selected to complement that of the remaining part if the building, with a red stone base. Window reveals will be of the same stone, with bronze window frames. The existing concrete floor slabs have a ribbed underside, which will be left exposed. The elegant profile of these ribs has been replicated in the window spandrel panels, to also be formed in stone. A double height entrance lobby will be located towards the centre of the commercial building, with a deep red anodised canopy signalling its location.
A rooftop extension is proposed, extending across the entire length of the building. Above the commercial section, the brick parapet is raised , and the extension takes the form of a glazed pavilion with expressed deep red anodised aluminium framing and a flat roof. Above the residential section, the extension responds to the existing rooftop features and is constructed of standing seam zinc with large vaulted windows.
