ISG has secured a major London office regeneration scheme, taking a circa £10.5 million project for DF Real Estate at Summit House in Westminster. The scheme focuses on consolidating two existing buildings into a unified and contemporary styled mixed-use property, which will greatly enhance the Westminster streetscape.
The complex project presents a range of engineering challenges for ISG in dealing with two separate buildings constructed in different eras and with non-aligned frontal elevations. To deliver cohesive office accommodation within the six-storey building, ISG will remove the two façades and extend the stepped back structure to allow the installation of striking curtain walling, with white Sto render across the remaining elevations.
Major structural alterations continue within the building as ISG will extensively reconfigure the ground floor area to create a light, spacious open plan format. This work involves the removal of a number of large structural columns and installation of new steel supports to open out this space. Existing retail units at ground floor level will also be demolished, reconfigured and reinstated as high specification commercial premises and ISG will construct a new steel frame extension at the side of the building to extend the main reception area.
To increase overall floor space, ISG will demolish the sixth floor and build a steel frame and glazed structure that extends across the entire footprint of the building, which will become the executive area and chairman’s suite. A rear ground floor extension will also be demolished, with the contractor building a new substation and extending above this to create new kitchenette facilities for the majority open plan offices on floors one to six.
Targeting a Very Good BREEAM environmental performance rating, Summit House will feature a green sedum roof, modern building management controls and a combined heat and power (CHP) system. The high specification Cat B fit out includes the installation of a new panoramic lift from ground to first floor and a feature glazed staircase linking the two floors, with bespoke joinery and high quality materials used throughout. The project is scheduled for completion at the end of 2013.
ISG’s Stuart Deverill, managing director - London, commented: “ISG has again proved successful securing a complex office rationalisation project requiring extensive temporary works and undertaken in a busy central location. This project closely follows our appointment on the City Tower scheme in Basinghall Street and our successful completion of the challenging £40 million No.1 Kingsway project in the West End, clearly demonstrating our pedigree and credentials in the commercial office sector.”