Giving the Moderne a contemporary edge while maintaining the
tenets of iconic 1930’s design has been realised in the redevelopment of a
prestigious London building.
No 1 New Oxford Street – formerly known as Commonwealth House –
now has an entrance which echoes its proud heritage, combining sleek elegant
aesthetics with modern convenience.
The automatic circular sliding doors from GEZE UK make quite a
statement, providing an entrance which blends seamlessly into the curved and
streamlined contours of a building which stands proud, like the prow of a ship,
on a site where New Oxford Street and High Holborn meet at an acute angle.
Unlike the sharp geometrics of the similarly placed Flatiron
building in New York, No 1 New Oxford Street projects a rounded nose to its
edifice, topped off by a modern-faced clock tower designed by its original
architect Henry Philip Cart de Lafontaine in 1939.
Its new entrance had to meet this exacting vision. A GEZE
Slimdrive SCR was used to provide the light and airy entrance, flanked by
curving glass panels to the side which flow into the original columns, and
topped with a glazed fanlight overhead. This frontage allowed the sliding doors
to be recessed into the entrance, allowing it to seamlessly flow into a new
lobby area.
One of the benefits of the Slimdrive SCR is that it combines high
performance while remaining discreet. It has a low operator height of just 7 cm
and is therefore very unobtrusive. In this case, the Slimdrive SCR was fitted
as freestanding entrance – the 360° drive solution is usually incorporated into
a building’s facade – but as this entrance was recessed, the installation was
adapted to the bespoke requirements of the design.
A
circular canopy and black glass wrap was placed over the doorway, blending into
the metal framework of the frontage. This included additional detailing by
Fleetwood Architectural Aluminium (FAA) which simulated the art deco style.
The canopy determined where the sensors could be fitted, so GEZE
UK worked with Fleetwood to
ensure that the design brief was met
while ensuring that the sensors still
performed correctly. GEZE’s GC 365 sensors were
used - combining motion and safety
detectors which operate the open and close
mechanism while alleviating the need for separate sensors. Light rings featured in the lobby area have also been
fitted inside the drum of the door – again reflecting the art deco style. And
an air curtain was fitted into the installation to blow warm air over the
entrance and stop cold air pushing into the building.
Outside, over the top of the impressive double-height entrance is
faced with dark green tiles which evoke the style of the modern/deco aesthetic.
This has been one of Lafontaine’s original design features but was considered
too risqué by the Crown Estate at the time and was never applied.
Orms architects conscientiously researched the creator’s
intentions and the effect is truly mesmerizing and so evocative of the time.
The entrance now leads into a distinctive mono-chromatic lobby
with terrazzo flooring, fluted glass walls, gold coloured reception desk and a
‘Guggenheim-inspired’ stepped inner atrium that echoes the glamour of a bygone
era. It incorporates a curved wall of back-lit white fluted glass which
illuminates the reception with twin pendant lights referencing the geometrical
forms of art deco.
The entrance was specified within a detailed brief by Orms
Architects, which devised the plans for the £38 million refurbishment of what
was created to be an ‘ultra-modern building of imposing appearance’.
Said Andy Howland, GEZE UK’s Sales and Marketing Director: “This
project is an outstanding example of how the refurbishment of an historic
building can enhance its facilities while remaining true to the vision of its
original architect.
“Orms had very detailed requirements to refit No 1 New Oxford
Street to such a high standard in order to future-proof the building to the
demands that would be placed upon it. We are delighted that GEZE products were
incorporated into this scheme which can rightly take its place among the
landmark architecture of the capital.”
Kam Sagoo, Design Manager for Fleetwood Architectural Aluminum
said that the level of detailing and installation needed to be very precise.
“GEZE UK was brought early during the design process and numerous
meetings were held, with all relevant parties present, to fully understand the
design intent, the detailing, coordination, sequencing, logistics and
installation.
“Having an established relationship with GEZE UK meant that we
could forge ahead with the technical design and realise a viable and compliant
solution. The result is a stunning entrance screen which blends the GEZE
Slimdrive SCR system effortlessly with the FAA bespoke facade.”
The redevelopment has added 10,000 square feet across nine-storey
and incorporated new lifts and bridge decks into the previous courtyard which
overlook the new full-height glazed atrium at its heart.
It totals 12,250 sq ft of retail and 95,000 sq ft Grade A office
space. Owned by TIAA Henderson Real Estate, its occupants now include H&M’s
luxury brand COS.
