An excellent example in re-use of existing assets and sensitively making the most of an urban site, Westminster House involves adding a two storey vertical extension to an existing four storey commercial building adjacent to Richmond underground station, providing new high quality homes, a new leisure facility, and rejuvenated office space.

Architects in Practice were appointed to develop the detailed design of the new extension, refurbishment and re-clad of the existing four storey building – re-cladding entirely in brick and rainscreen cladding – and extending down the basement to provide a new gym.

The project presents a number of complex technical challenges in finding simple, elegant detailed design solutions to deliver the best possible version of the planning stage design while negotiating overlapping acoustic, thermal and drainage requirements – all within a restrictive height envelope and making use of offsite light gauge steel construction. The phased structural and waterproofing works required in lowering the basement level, and managing the logistics of working on a busy high street mean that close collaborative working with contractor and the full design team are essential.