This adaptive reuse scheme in northwest London adds a vertical extension and refurbishes an existing two-storey industrial building with a demountable Douglas fir glulam structure – providing a new headquarters for client and specialist contractor New Wave London.
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LocationLondon
Completion Date2021
Gross Internal Floor Area495m² (timber roof extension)
ArchitectThomas-McBrien Architects
ClientNew Wave London
Project TypeCommercial
Building TypeLight industrial
Structural EngineerLIM Engineering Ltd
Main ContractorNew Wave London
Wood SupplierPIVETEAUBOIS; James Jones & Sons
PhotographerStåle Eriksen
Product InfoGlulam: GL24H, Douglas fir, France (41.208m3); Interior timber: Solid Douglas fir, veneered boards; Ceiling panels: Troldekt, acoustic wood wool board
Timber SpeciesDouglas Fir
Timber ElementsTimber frame; Joinery
Upfront carbon emissions (A1-A5)166 kgCO₂e/m²
Stored biogenic carbon74 kgCO₂e/m²
Operational energy (B6)97.86 kWh/m²/yr
Design life100 years
The extension has been designed to maximise the potential of the existing structure, increasing the overall floor space by 40%. As well as creating a new open-plan office, it provides additional lettable floor space, adding nine units for SME businesses to rent throughout the building, along with a communal roof terrace.
At the heart of the scheme is a lightweight glulam structure, set directly on top of the existing building with minimal structural intervention. The system allows for future deconstruction and reuse – extending the lifespan of the materials beyond this project.
The retention of the existing structure significantly reduced the project’s embodied carbon while the reuse of materials combined with a low-tech onsite construction strategy kept project waste, transport emissions and costs low. With all the components thoughtfully composed to create a coherent and generous working environment, the project demonstrates how reuse and circular economy principles can add real value to a commercial scheme.
Operational carbon was measured across the entire building following completion, encompassing both the new extension and the improved existing fabric, showing that energy use per square meter had decreased by 25% compared to the prerefurbishment baseline.
