Whitechapel High Street

client: developer, budget: £724K, str. engineer: Jefferey Smith Assoc., contractor: Fiske Interiors

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Whitechapel High Street in 2002 was more of a traffic choked trunk road than the heart of one of London’s most vibrant cultural quarters that it has become in recent years. For almost 5 years we worked closely with a developer who had a seventh sense about the pending renaissance of the area. Stage by stage we progressed an ambitious conversion and extension project of 3 former London Underground warehouses in the heart of the conservation area. The client’s brief asked that the new units last for 100 years. This has brought about a sustainability strategy focused around the principles of adaptability and repairability resulting in the creation of 5 bright and spacious flats with balconies and roof terraces, 2 shops and 1 business unit. The undulating copper roof extension ads a contemporary design element. Structural glazing brings light into the depth of the plan and an advanced domestic sprinkler system unlocks the constraints of the existing building. The graffiti retained on the party wall becomes the hearth of contemporary urban living.

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The re-opening of the shops and the works to the facade have acted as a catalyst encouraging neighbouring shop owners to carry out similar repair works. The remainder of the terrace was recently refurbished in preparation for the Olympics.