dMFK Architects / 3 New Street Square, London

Words By Emily Martin

PROJECT INFO

Client Landsec/Myo

Architect dMFK Architects www.dmfk.co.uk

Interior design dMFK Architects

Landscape consultant Spacehub spacehubdesign.com

Completion January 2024

Size 6,500m2

DMFK HAS completed the refurbishment, repositioning and 248m2 extension of Landsec’s 3 New Street Square, an amenityrich space that is part of innovative flexible workspace solution Myo, which is situated in the Fleet Street Quarter of London. The 6,500m2 retrofit of the existing five-storey, stone-clad development – which was designed by Bennetts Associates in 2008 – sought to evolve the quality and character of the existing building, while making drastic improvements to its sustainability, flexibility and well-being offering in line with the expectations of today’s occupiers.

The new interiors introduce a palette of complementary materials creating a timeless aesthetic that is driven by high-quality and robust craftsmanship. Image Credit: Ed Reeve

Joshua Scott, director at dMFK Architects, comments: ‘Our approach to the Myo New Street Square project centred around a desire to complement rather than work at odds with the existing structure. It started by embracing the high-quality materiality and rigorous structural grid that defines the character of the 2008 building, using this to inform and evolve the story to create a warm and tactile workspace in line with the expectations of today’s occupiers. Central to this was enhancing the connection to its surroundings with new green views and external amenity and event space.’

The rooftop pavilion and landscaped terrace. Image Credit: Jack Hobhouse

dMFK’s most dramatic intervention is the addition of a new rooftop pavilion and events space atop the existing structure’s post-tension concrete frame. The sixth-storey pavilion opens onto a terrace with sweeping views across the city, creating an expansive, beautifully landscaped rooftop destination with the capacity to accommodate over 150 guests. Scott adds: ‘The refurbishment, extension and repositioning has introduced new legibility, improved accessibility and added a transformative sixth storey: Myo New Street Square’s rooftop pavilion and landscaped terrace. The pavilion’s references the strong gridded geometry of Bennetts’ original façade, with anchor points and new fabric carefully coordinated to sit atop the existing building’s post-tension concrete structure.’

The new interiors introduce a palette of complementary materials creating a timeless aesthetic that is driven by high-quality and robust craftsmanship. Image Credit: Ed Reeve

The new interiors introduce a palette of complementary materials creating a timeless aesthetic that is driven by high-quality and robust craftsmanship. Hardwood mid-toned oak has been incorporated throughout the building to soften and warm the cooler materiality of the original building, with detailing to mirror the robust and quality external stone.

The design provides break-out spaces for informal collaborative working, booths for concentration, high-spec meeting rooms for traditional collaboration, and terraces on every floor to boost well-being. Each floorplate can be reconfigured in as many ways as possible, enabling tenants to implement their preferred mix of open-plan and private workspace.

The rooftop pavilion and landscaped terrace. Image Credit: Jack Hobhouse

‘The original five storeys have been greened to provide well-being-boosting visual amenity and reconfigured to accommodate a series of versatile, contemporary event spaces, shared eating areas and state-of-the-art end-oftrip facilities,’ says Scott with sustainability a pivotal design driver, as reflected in Myo New Street Square’s targeted WELL Platinum and NABERS 4.5* Design Reviewed Target Rating. The entire structure has been decarbonised with the introduction of a new, technically innovative temperature control and ventilation system, in line with Landsec’s wider goal to decarbonise its portfolio and achieve a 70% reduction in operational carbon by 2030. The refurbishment has improved the EPC to an ‘A’.

Image Credit: Jack Hobhouse

‘We have designed for longevity,’ concludes Scott. ‘While retrofit is vastly more sustainable than demolish and rebuild, having to fit out a building repeatedly, of course, diminishes that carbon saving. Myo New Street Square allows for the subdivision and reconfiguration of existing spaces with minimal intervention, so future tenants can alter the building sustainably.’

KEY SUPPLIERS

Furniture

Fredericia www.frederica.com

Zeitraum www.zeitraum-moebel.de

Norr11 www.norr11.com

De Vorm www.devorm.nl

Andreu World www.andreuworld.com

Friends & Founders www.friendsfounders.com

Rawside www.rawside.co

Hay www.hay.uk

Textiles

Kvadrat www.kvadrat.dk