Marks Barfield Architects partnered with Forme UK to help Lazari Investments Ltd develop a new London HQ for Publicis at 82 Baker Street. With an equal split of design responsibility for architecture and interior design, we were instructed under one contract to provide a seamless design service. The development for Lazari Investments Ltd was a refurbishment creating a 72,000 sqft prime office space. A new 15 year lease was agreed with Publicis for an energy and space-efficient refurbished building, to include open plan space, a new atrium with an interconnecting glass stair and a biodiverse roof and roof terrace.

Great attention to the history of the existing facade allowed MBA to enhance the appearance of the building through colour, restoration and upgrade of original elements. Thus returning the stature of the building reminiscent of when it was originally built for Marks & Spencer as their HQ in 1904. Existing windows for all elevations were replaced with new steel framed windows to complement the character of the building. The new windows are double glazed units for enhanced thermal and acoustic performance. Specially designed facade lighting was introduced to improve the building’s street presence and bring back its landmark status on Baker Street.

The new atrium situated above the courtyard, provides a physical link between the original building, built in 1904, and the 1936 addition. The two buildings are linked at the first, second, third and fourth floors. The design of the atrium provides a bright and airy space at the heart of the building that encourages social interaction and offers a quality workspace environment. The cladding of the atrium consists of a frameless structural glazing system with an interstitial fabric, laminated between glass panes, and high performance glazing with Low E coatings. The cladding functions as a “veil”, adding a degree of privacy for views in and out. The clean and minimal design of the atrium makes it distinct from the existing brick elevations without compromising the character of the existing buildings.

Following extensive demolition, the interior improvements to the office building comprised of extensive structural amendments whilst incorporating new WC cores, new passenger lifts, new perimeter-fed low energy mechanical ventilation systems and new lighting throughout. Interior design concepts were developed to compliment the building’s heritage and the tenant’s requirements by utilising existing structural geometry alongside contemporary interior finishes; giving rise to an exciting, refreshing and modern workspace.

Two new roof terraces offer spectacular views of London’s skyline. The terraces are intended for promoting well being as well as providing additional social and entertaining space for building users. A wildflower meadow, which borders the terraces, provides an oasis of biodiversity in the middle of the city. The meadow is made up of 24 native species of wildflowers carefully chosen by an ecologist not only for their attractiveness to birds and bees etc, but also for their low maintenance properties.

A new two bedroom high end residential unit was created within the existing building in response to the Westminster City Council’s Mixed Use Policy. The residential unit is situated on Kenrick Place opposite existing mews properties.

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Detail Magazine- Issue 6, Glass Construction- Glazed Atrium in London