Issue 48 AUG 25 web - Flipbook - Page 7
Reuse and Repurposing Stone
Reusing and repurposing materials for buildings and/or the retention and modification of existing
structures has, in many cases, become a priority on construction schemes. This is positive but
can present challenges.
Often, but not always, reuse and retention of a building
can present a cost-saving, so there is always a balance to
be had.
Architects are constantly having to adapt and redefine
their focus to design buildings that will facilitate
contemporary demands but have longevity in terms of
their functionality. Centuries ago, it was not uncommon
for a building structure to be kept, and the façade
removed and rebuilt to reflect current fashions, like
Chatsworth House. Today the opposite is more common,
the historic façade is retained and the dated structure
behind rebuilt to suit current demands, with increased
floor and ceiling heights being key. Lucent W1, the corner
block on Piccadilly Circus is a good example. The project
involved rebuilding the primary structure behind the
famous Piccadilly lights to unify thirteen different
buildings, all with different floor heights and layouts.
Fletcher Priest Architects designed flexible floor spaces
Below, Lucent W1, facades reinstalled
to accommodate a variety of workspace requirements,
retail, residential and a new rooftop restaurant. Part of the
project involved the retention of three historic facades,
two on Glasshouse Street and one on Shaftesbury
Avenue. After extensive surveys, the Bath stone and
Portland stone facades on Glasshouse Street were dismantled, removed off site to be repaired and the stones
reduced in thickness to account for rebuilding with a
cavity structure and reinstalled, salvaging 90% of the
stone. When reinstalled, some areas of new stone were
matched in to allow for stretching the façade at the upper
levels. By removing the facades off site, it allowed access
for the demolition and rebuilding of the primary structure.
The remaining Shaftesbury Avenue façade is formed of
faience masonry units. The building was retained to level
two with the upper floors removed. Due to the nature of
faience it is not easy to salvage large quantities of it, and
so the upper floors were replaced with new to match the
original historic appearance.
