\n
Architect\u2019s view<\/h3>\n
Viewed collectively, this series of buildings offered a unique opportunity as a characterful heritage workplace. The challenge was to unify the individual buildings and unlock additional floor space within the constraints of the existing fabric and the conservation area setting.<\/p>\n
Our design response was to form new connections to create large light-filled floorplates \u2013 as close to \u2018open-plan\u2019 as it\u2019s possible to make a Victorian load-bearing masonry structure.<\/p>\n
The topography of Farringdon Road means that the four buildings step down the hill, with a level change of approximately 0.75m between each. To mitigate this, two of the original circulation cores were removed, with the remaining two reconfigured to incorporate dual-sided lifts providing step-free access to each part of the floor plate.<\/p>\n
A set of 1970s mansard roof extensions were removed, and in their place, a new attic storey replicates the language of the existing building frontage. Above this is a set-back contemporary sixth floor with a three-sided wrap-around terrace. We worked hard to create external amenity space for every floor of the building as well as a communal roof terrace on level seven.<\/p>\n
At ground floor, a new centralised reception and co-working space was formed by connecting the separate spaces via a series of large steel-framed openings in the original party walls and lowering the floor levels to create a unified space.<\/p>\n
Much of the aesthetic comes from the character of the existing building. Exposed brickwork, expressed structural steelwork and concrete are complemented by replacement timber sash windows and an exposed services strategy as a backdrop to the Cat A floorplates.<\/p>\n
Materials and colours were selected to create a refined industrial language. Handsome late-Victorian tones are complemented by a consistent use of black architectural metalwork, with robust finishes such as glazed tiles adding texture and ensuring longevity.<\/p>\n
The project has demanded ingenuity, persistence and a collaborative spirit from everyone in the design and delivery teams. The Waterman has become one of the largest heritage workplace buildings in Farringdon and we are proud to have contributed to the next stage of its history.
\nTom Bulmer, project associate, Fathom Architects<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n
\u00a0<\/span>![\"\"](\"https:\/\/cdn.rt.emap.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2024\/12\/18143833\/18_Waterman-coworking-LR-c-Martina-Ferrera_Fathom.webp\")
<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n
Interior designer\u2019s view<\/h3>\n
Our brief was to design Alfred\u2019s Club on the ground floor of the Waterman, the main arrival and communal space of the building, and to create an inviting, elevated yet comfortable environment. We wanted to create a space that felt more akin to a hotel lounge or member\u2019s club than a traditional office lobby, whilst maintaining functionality and flexibility as the space needed to support a variety of daily uses and events.<\/p>\n
Alfred\u2019s Club includes a feature terrazzo-topped coffee counter and events bar, which creates a focal theatre element, as well as a lounge, co-working areas and meeting rooms to serve the building\u2019s tenants. Our design has successfully activated the ground floor and ensured a warm and inviting arrival experience for all building\u2019s users and visitors.
\nAndy Goodwin, creative director and co-founder, Fettle<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n
\u00a0<\/span>![\"\"](\"https:\/\/cdn.rt.emap.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2024\/12\/18143729\/09a_Waterman-exterior-LR-c-Michele-Cadei_Fathom.webp\")
<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n
Client\u2019s view<\/h3>\n
BGO tasked Fathom with transforming a complicated and inefficient series of heritage warehouses into a single desirable workplace.<\/p>\n
Through its analytical and considered approach to the existing Victorian structure, Fathom unlocked net area on every level, improving average net\/gross ratio from 79 per cent to 85 per cent. It carved out high-end amenity space and vastly improved the building\u2019s efficiency in operation.<\/p>\n
Fathom\u2019s reimagination has created a distinct identity for the Waterman, celebrating its heritage but very much appealing to the workplace demands of today. We\u2019re incredibly proud of what\u2019s been achieved on this truly collaborative project.
\nEmma Foster, principal, BGO<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n
\u00a0<\/span>![\"\"](\"https:\/\/cdn.rt.emap.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2024\/12\/18160508\/The-Waterman_01-Ground-Floor-Plan-c-Fathom-Architects.webp\")
<\/p>\n<\/div>\nProject data<\/h3>\n
Start on site<\/strong> October 2022
\nCompletion date<\/strong> October 2024
\nGross internal floor area (GIA)<\/strong> 8,614m2<\/sup>
\nForm of contract or procurement route<\/strong> Design & build
\nConstruction cost<\/strong> Undisclosed
\nConstruction cost per m2<\/sup><\/strong> Undisclosed
\nClient<\/strong> BGO
\nArchitect<\/strong> Fathom Architects
\nInterior design (Alfred\u2019s Club)<\/strong> Fettle Design
\nPlanning consultant<\/strong> DP9 and Rolfe Judd Planning
\nProject manager <\/strong>B&Co
\nContractor<\/strong> Ambit
\nStructure<\/strong> Bridges Pound
\nM&E consultant<\/strong>\u00a0GDM
\nHeritage consultant<\/strong> The Heritage Practice
\nQuantity surveyor<\/b> RLB
\nTransport consultant<\/strong> The Steer Group
\nLandscape architect<\/strong> Bowles & Wyer
\nFire consultant<\/strong> Sweco & Semper
\nApproved inspector<\/strong> Sweco
\nRights of light<\/strong> GIA
\nPrincipal designer<\/strong>\u00a0Fathom Architects
\nPrincipal designer adviser<\/strong> Goddard Consulting
\nSustainability consultant<\/strong> Sweco
\nBREEAM assessor<\/strong> JAW
\nEcology consultant<\/strong> Greengage Environmental
\nAcoustic consultant<\/strong> EEC
\nCAD software used<\/strong> AutoCAD<\/p>\nEnvironmental performance \/ sustainability data<\/h3>\n
Percentage of floor area with daylight factor >2%<\/strong> Not currently assessed
\nPercentage of floor area with daylight factor >5%<\/strong> Not currently assessed
\nOn-site energy generation<\/strong> 0%
\nAnnual mains water consumption<\/strong> 6.12 m3<\/sup>\/occupant\/year
\nAirtightness at 50Pa<\/strong> 3.43 m3<\/sup>\/h.m2
\n<\/sup>Heating and hot water load<\/strong> 21.98 kWh\/m2<\/sup>\/yr
\nArea-weighted U-values<\/strong> walls: 1.3 W\/m2<\/sup>K; roof: 0.12 W\/m2<\/sup>K; windows: 1.3 W\/m2<\/sup>K; floors: 0.74 W\/m2<\/sup>K (NB weighted averages across existing and new build fabric)
\nDesign life<\/strong> 60 years
\nEmbodied \/ whole-life carbon<\/strong> Awaiting final assessment
\nAnnual CO2<\/sub> emissions<\/strong> 23.4 kgCO2<\/sub>eq\/m2<\/sup><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The buildings, on Farringdon Road within the Clerkenwell Green Conservation Area, were originally four Victorian warehouses, housing a printworks and shops selling bicycles and printing ink. Incremental conversions over the years had left the warehouses with a confusing array of tenancies contained within an inefficient, leaky envelope. \u00a0 Fathom has extended the workspace area by …<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":32845,"featured_media":769202,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_oasis_is_in_workflow":0,"_oasis_original":0,"ep_exclude_from_search":false},"categories":[706],"tags":[4091,3917,1342,4550],"yoast_head":"\n
Fathom completes retrofit of historic workspace in Clerkenwell<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"The 8,600m2 Waterman scheme offers six floors of workspace, a coworking lounge designed in collaboration with Fettle, roof terraces and two retail units\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.architectsjournal.co.uk\/buildings\/fathom-completes-retrofit-of-historic-workspace-in-clerkenwell\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_GB\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Fathom completes retrofit of historic workspace in Clerkenwell\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"The 8,600m2 Waterman scheme offers six floors of workspace, a coworking lounge designed in collaboration with Fettle, roof terraces and two retail units\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" 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