Residential Property Located at Bruton Place, Numbers 21 to 25
In the heart of west London, a significant transformation has taken place on Bruton Place. Known as the Mews Rooftop project, this mass timber rooftop extension and deep retrofit of three mews buildings by DLA Architecture has breathed new life into a disjointed trio of mid-century structures, converting them into a unified 15,000-square-foot office space.
The project, managed by Berkeley Estate Asset Management (BEAM), has embraced the future of workspace design while maintaining the street's character. The upper levels of the building have been crowned with a CLT and mass timber extension, offering views from a new rooftop terrace.
The main strategy for the project was one of amalgamation, fusing three disparate buildings into a coherent whole. The addition of a folded mansard roof not only allows for natural light to enter the building but also performs multiple functions, including structural, fire, acoustic, and visual.
Existing brickwork was dismantled and reused where possible, and natural materials, such as clay tiles, locally fired brick, and European oak, have been chosen over engineered alternatives. Inside the building, exposed timber joists and herringbone brick floors evoke craft and comfort.
A floor-by-floor mechanical strategy has been implemented to support a low-carbon operation, allowing each floor to run independently to suit tenant needs. The primary material employed in the project is timber, with the rooftop extension formed from glulam frames and CLT panels.
The use of CLT in the project allowed for responsible extension upward and the delivery of beautiful, healthy interior environments. The project showcases thoughtful deep retrofit, preserving character, unlocking potential, and building for the future.
The addition of mass timber elements in the project has also contributed to the reimagining of Bruton Place. Previously a service route to the mansions of Bruton Street, it has been reimagined as a pedestrian-friendly hub of contemporary workspaces.
The project was a collaborative effort, with Rougemont as the project manager, CSA (Christopher Smith Associates) as the quantity surveyor, HTS (Heyne Tillet Steel) as the structural engineers, TPS (Taylor Project Services) as the MEP consultant, NDY (Norman Disney Young) as the fire consultant, Ignis as the timber fire specialist, and Gerald Eve as the planning consultant.
The Mews Rooftop project is a testament to the potential of sustainable, innovative design in the heart of London, offering a fresh perspective on workspace design while respecting the city's rich history.
- The addition of a folded mansard roof in the Mews Rooftop project not only allows natural light to enter the building but also serves structural, fire, acoustic, and visual purposes, promoting sustainable living within a tech-savvy lifestyle.
- Inside the building, exposed timber joists and herringbone brick floors evoke craft, comfort, and a connection to the environment, blending fashion and home-and-garden aesthetics.
- The primary material employed in the Mews Rooftop project is timber, with the rooftop extension formed from glulam frames and CLT panels, resulting in beautiful, healthy interior environments that support low-carbon operation and preserve the city's character.
