The INSTITUTION OF CIVIL ENGINEERS briefed us to increase the density of 8 Storey’s Gate 5-fold to house all their commercial divisions. The brief included three targets: Improve communications between staff who were split between three existing multilevel buildings; produce an exemplar sustainable building and be able to demonstrate it; create
a democratic building that would be accessible to all. The refurbishment involves major structural changes installing brand new stairs and lifts together with sensitive fabric repairs to the Grade II listed facades. We specified passive chilled beams, mixed mode ventilation and achieved a 72% reduction in CO2 compared to the 60% benchmark. We intensified occupancy in the open plan offices to free-up space around peninsular kitchens; these provide a great social space for discussing projects and exchanging ideas.