Sheppard Robson’s sustainable, flexible office scheme casts Hammersmith in new light

The facade responds to changing levels of light during the day

Source: Jack Hobhouse

The new landscaped piazza at the front of 245 Hammersmith Road

Source: Jack Hobhouse

Podium park is eight metres above the level of the high street

Source: Jack Hobhouse

The reconfigured building has created more public space

Source: Jack Hobhouse

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The biggest office to be built in Hammersmith for more than 20 years does not just stand out for its size. The colour of the red facade at 245 Hammersmith Road evolves throughout the day due to the changing light falling onto angled anodised aluminium window surrounds. 

The angle of these has been tailored to minimise solar gain and provides elevations that change throughout the day. Scheme architect Sheppard Robson says the vivid scarlet hues, created with red organic dye, reflect the terracotta bricks of the surrounding conservation area.

A landscaped park with sun loungers and seating areas is behind the building

Source: Jack Hobhouse

Two parallel wings are connected by a central core

Source: Jack Hobhouse

An arch with a landscaped staircase and funicular lift connects the high street and piazza to a podium park, over an 8m change of level

Source: Jack Hobhouse

245 Hammersmith Road brings an underused public space back to life.

Source: Jack Hobhouse

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The £275m west London scheme has sought to create a flexible, collaborative open green space that connects workers and the public both inside and outside the building. A landscaped piazza and three roof terraces are laced through the development, while there is street access to a podium park to the rear the size of two football pitches. 

The project, developed by Legal & General and Mitsubishi Estate and built by Lendlease, provides 22,500m2 of flexible office space and nearly 1,000m2 of retail setting and restaurants. It is situated on the former site of 1980s office block Bechtel House and is part of a wider regeneration scheme for the area.

3000 Threads 3000 Hands is an art installation by Sheppard Robson architect and artist Patricia de Isidoro, paying homage to everyone involved in crafting the building. The work features golden threads suspended between the recessed walls of the reception as a three-dimensional tapestry

Source: Jack Hobhouse

The use of raw materials such as open-grid metal ceilings combines with hand-crafted furniture to create an atmosphere the architect calls familial and industrial

Source: Jack Hobhouse

The interior draws on the Arts and Crafts movement, fused with industrial elements to reflect the history of factories in the area, shown here in the reception

Source: Jack Hobhouse

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Project team

Clients: Legal & General/Mitsubishi Estate 

Architect: Sheppard Robson

Contractor: Lendlease

Project manager, employer’s agent and principal designer: Potter Raper

Interior design: ID:SR

Cost consultant: Alinea

Structural engineer: WSP

Building services engineer: Hoare Lea

Landscape architect: Exterior Architecture

Facade consultant: FMDC

Photography by Jack Hobhouse

Send your project images to buildingimages@building.co.uk

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