British Land
10 Exchange Square
Our client, British Land are committed to creating Places People Prefer, delivering the best, most sustainable places for their customers and communities.
10 Exchange Square is a 12-storey office building, reimagined to enhance its relationship with Exchange Park and the Broadgate campus. Previously an outdated and underperforming workplace, our specialist team were entrusted to carry out the complete refurbishment retrofitting the space to provide a warm, welcoming workplace, focused on wellbeing.
KEY FACTS
Project: Refurbishment
Sector: Commercial
Size: 84,000 sq ft
Programme: Phase 1 - 23 weeks/ Phase 2 - 18 weeks
Contract: JCT Major Project Construction Contract 2016
TEAM
Architect: Coffey Architects
PM: Opera
PQS: Gardiner & Theobald
Services Consultant: Norman Disney Young
The Project
The project involved a comprehensive refurbishment of the main reception, core areas, lifts, and lift lobbies, as well as a CAT ‘A’ fit-out of 84,000 sq ft of vacant office space at 10 Exchange Square. A standout feature was the creation of a cycle pavilion within the building’s double-height reception, providing 133 bike spaces and state-of-the-art shower and changing facilities. As one of just two cycle-in offices in London, this retrofit positions the building as a globally competitive asset.
Sustainability was at the core of the transformation. We introduced a timber-clad pavilion into the existing glass structure, housing a new lobby with social seating, a coffee area, and bike storage, all while prioritising material choices with low embodied carbon and local procurement. Bespoke oak panelling was meticulously installed throughout the reception, lift lobby, and café, attached to a new Metsec sub-structure.
The retrofit was carried out in phases to ensure minimal disruption to tenants, maintaining access throughout the works. The design also retained the building’s existing raised access flooring, saving 400 tonnes of carbon.
This project achieved an impressive 93% reduction in embodied carbon compared to new-build industry standards and a 19% decrease in carbon emissions throughout the building’s lifecycle, showcasing a strong commitment to sustainability and adding long-term value to the building.
Steelwork: Innovative Integration
The new steelwork, designed to create a sleek mezzanine pavilion, was seamlessly integrated into the existing structure. To ensure precision and safety, early-stage validations and surveys were conducted by our specialist steelwork contractor, allowing us to identify optimal connection points. This proactive approach not only ensured structural integrity but also allowed for innovative design solutions, maintaining the building’s original framework while enhancing functionality and aesthetics.
M&E Installation: Efficient Coordination
One of the key challenges was coordinating the interface with the existing building systems within a tight design schedule. To address this, we initiated early procurement of the mechanical contractor and held coordination meetings with all relevant parties, ensuring alignment from the outset. Early validations and surveys helped mitigate risks, allowing us to implement future-proof M&E solutions that seamlessly integrated with the building's systems while adhering to the aggressive timeline. This approach added significant value by ensuring operational efficiency and long-term sustainability.
