INCA Case Study: Henry Wood House, London

Introduction

Henry Wood House, a prominent 1960s office building located in the heart of London’s West End, has undergone a remarkable transformation. This ambitious project led by Derwent London and Knight Harwood, with architectural vision from Ben Adams Architects and significant contributions from Chiltern Contracts in collaboration with Sto UK, aimed to revitalize the building’s façade. The project successfully restored the aesthetic appeal of Henry Wood House while enhancing its structural integrity and durability.

Project Overview

Located on Regent Street, adjacent to the BBC headquarters, Henry Wood House comprises a 16-storey tower with two interconnecting five-storey wings. The building includes 69,000 sq ft of office space, 10,800 sq ft of retail space, and a hotel occupying the upper seven floors. The refurbishment project primarily focused on the external façade, which required significant repairs and modernization to meet contemporary standards.

Knight Harwood, the main contractor, emphasized the logistical challenges due to the building’s central London location and the need to coordinate with tenants, including the Treehouse Hotel, which remained operational throughout the refurbishment. Their commitment to careful planning and execution was crucial to the project’s success.

Ben Adams Architects aimed to breathe new life into an occupied building by repairing the entire façade, creating a new public realm at the ground floor, and safeguarding the building’s significance on the West End skyline for the next sixty years. Their vision was seamlessly executed, blending modern design with the building’s historic character.

Chiltern Contracts introduced Terrazzo and Linear finishes within the Sto Signature range to the UK market through this project. The company’s meticulous planning involved creating extensive mock-ups and detailed design drawings, ensuring precision and clarity for the client. Additionally, they addressed the building’s concrete repairs using the advanced DOFF Cleaning method, which restored the Portland Stone’s pristine beauty without harsh chemicals, preserving its longevity.

Sto UK designed a render system to repair the damaged façade while meeting the specific design brief from Ben Adams Architects and Derwent London. The modern, linear render finish was a challenging requirement, intended to bring texture and durability to the building. The project manager for Chiltern Contracts’ facades division, Bogdan Stefan, highlighted the challenges and meticulous planning required to achieve the desired linear appearance. Sto provided specialist training for Chiltern’s applicators, enabling them to create extensive mock-ups for client approval before commencing the work.

The StoSignature linear appearance was achieved using Stolit MP render, applied with a special V-shaped trowel to create the exact finish required. Prior to this, the StoReno Plan system was used to repair the façade, which included an adhesive bedding coat, StoReno A recycled glass, mesh-reinforced carrier boards, a reinforcing coat with mesh, and the decorative render finish. This system ensured the façade’s resistance to cracking and weathering, meeting the A2-s1, d0 reaction to fire classification. Sto provided ongoing technical advice and support throughout the project, ensuring strict adherence to fixing patterns due to the building’s high negative wind loads. The project was completed on time, meeting the high expectations of all parties involved.

Conclusion

The Henry Wood House project stands as a testament to collaborative excellence and innovative design. This transformation of a historic building into a modern architectural gem highlights the exceptional work and dedication of all involved.