This project transforms a monolithic office complex in the City of London into a circular, mixed-use housing development aligned with the City’s 2040 vision. Situated along Lower Thames Street, the existing structure is preserved and retrofitted to meet the growing demand for sustainable urban living.
Embracing principles of circularity, the design retains the original concrete framework, minimizing demolition to reduce material waste and carbon emissions. Selective removal of floor plates introduces generous atria and light-filled voids, enhancing spatial quality while preserving structural integrity. By lifting the building mass, a new public realm is unveiled — revealing Roman ruins and reconnecting with nearby green spaces.
Sustainable timber modules are inserted within and atop the retained frame. These lightweight units, crafted from low-carbon, renewable materials, harness the anisotropic properties of wood to enable self-shaping through moisture-controlled fabrication. This method supports a responsive, material-driven architecture that is both flexible and energy-efficient.
The proposal operates across three interwoven scales:
Urban – lifting the monolith to establish a porous, connected public realm;
Building – creating vertical continuity and shared circulation;
Modular – enabling units to adapt over time to evolving household needs.
The result is a dynamic, multi-functional neighborhood embedded in the city fabric—where living, working, heritage, and ecology converge.