One of the few new timber framed offices in the UK, The Greenhouse is a revival of a disused and derelict 1960s office block. Refurbished and extended with a cross laminated timber frame, it delivers an environmentally exemplary office space.
Owned and managed by The Ethical Property Company, it enables them to meet the rising demand for flexible and affordable workspace for social businesses, charities and not-for-profit organisations in London. The building also matches their high standards for environmental performance and joins their growing portfolio of properties throughout the UK.
Delivering expertise in offsite construction
Chosen for our expertise in offsite construction and cross laminated timber design, Ramboll carried out structural surveys, undertook extensive research on the existing building and assessed the proposed new building use against existing building loads and structural capacity. This involved structural, civil, geotechnical, and environmental engineering advice, working in close collaboration with Waugh Thistleton Architects and contractor B&K Structures.
Flexible workspace for social change organisations
Within the building’s almost 50,000ft² is enough modern and flexible workspace for up to 50 social change organisations to work under the same roof, sharing generous communal facilities and community spaces.
The existing concrete structure has been refurbished with the addition of a six-storey front extension, as well as an additional steel-framed storey on top for additional workspaces that offer uninterrupted views of the city. The rear extension comprises a six-storey cross laminated timber frame building that significantly increases office space. Internally the layout provides flexible accommodation to suit varying sized organisations, with a light and airy central timber atrium to enhance networking. The timber extension includes an innovative spectacular cantilevered six-storey feature stair in the centre of the building. This timber staircase includes a pioneering bonded-in rod connection to allow the glulam treads to seamlessly cantilever from a singular CLT spine wall, developed by Ramboll.
Conrad Peberdy, Managing Director at The Ethical Property Company said, “These are significant transactions for Ethical Property which will enable us to upscale our activities in order to meet growing demand from potential tenants. This is vital at a time when property in the capital is increasingly out of reach of voluntary and community organisations due to rising rents and loss of office space."
