What makes this Settles Street development really sing is its innovative blend of old and new. Anomaly decided to make a focus of the building’s high ceilings –which reach a lofty seven metres –removing the suspended ceilings to expose the original trusses above and creating a strong aesthetic with plenty of character in the process.
Extensive repairs to the windows and stairs as well as exposing brickwork where possible have contributed to a sleek finish throughout, while revamping the floor plan and realigning the entrance to the front centre means arrivals in reception enjoy striking, uninterrupted views up the central stairs and lightwell, through to the newly built extension beyond.
Linked by a bridge that creates an exciting transition point between the old and the new, this contemporary glass box structure provides a powerful counterpoint to the building’s neoclassical brickwork. Stepping into the rear extension reveals the extent of newly created office space spread across five floors. Careful consideration was given to the materiality and opacity of the structure, as it has to knit together a number of different forms while delivering uncompromised, high-quality interior office space. Plus, the additional height provided by the extension means the development now boasts unparalleled views across the East End and the City of London.
