Rally: 469 Bethnal Green Road
Take a Gander at Carmody Groarke's Stunning Transformation of an Old Warehouse into a Six-Storey, Demountable Office Space
Check out these snazzy photos by Johan Dehlin and Rory Allen!
Carmody Groarke has put a fresh coat of paint on an unassuming 1970s concrete-framed structure in the heart of East London. Once marked for demolition, this run-of-the-mill building has morphed into 'Galvanise' - a show-stopping, prime office space for developer Unity Land. Nestled just steps away from Bethnal Green underground station, the property sits on a narrow patch of real estate above a Central Line vent. This site typifies the sort of tight, infrastructure-bound lots common in inner London.
This 2,200 square meter expansion retains every inch of the concrete frame and foundations of the old structure, avoiding the carbon expenditure of demolition and deep new footings. As Kevin Carmody pointed out, "No new carbon-heavy foundations hit the ground here—just perfect for Zone 2 London."
But instead of knocking the building down, they strategically expanded it. A lightweight hybrid frame made of a primary steel structure and a secondary Douglas fir timber grid props up three new stories above the existing brick-clad base.
"A decade ago, this building would've been easy to overlook," mused Andy Groarke. "But this is no ordinary expansion. It's an ambitious doubling of the building, like an ugly duckling that got a makeover to become a swan."
Glass, steel, and timber combine to create a striking exterior. 3mm galvanized steel sheaths the addition, offering rust prevention and a unique spangled aspect. Vertical fins help winter sun management, while horizontal fins handle summer shading. "It's all about the angles," said Wren.
Set amidst the eclectic streetscape of East London, Galvanise acknowledges its textured history. "This is an emerging ad-hoc cityscape," noted Groarke, evoking images of the Judd Foundation on Spring Street in Manhattan—narrow, low-rise buildings given new life for contemporary purposes.
Inside, Galvanise is pure simplicity. Free-spanning floors offer flexibility for plug-and-play workspaces, while original concrete beams remain visible at the second level. "It's as low-fi and low-tech as we could possibly make it," beamed Wren. "We kept it practical to allow for adaptability and future-proofing."
Sustainability took center stage during the entire process. Insulation and glazing have been fine-tuned for energy efficiency, and services run on renewable energy sources. Recycling from the outset and designing for adaptability extend the building's lifespan.
Downstairs, the entrance and retail zones undergo a radical transformation. Previous brickwork is replaced with glass, creating a more inviting communal space and providing a seamless connection between indoor and outdoor areas.
For Unity CEO Danny Ungar, the project embodies long-term investments in area development and possibilities. "This isn't a ready-made location, but it's worth the wait," he admitted. "We're planting a seed for the future."
The Team Behind the Project
- Architects: Carmody Groarke
- Developer: Unity Land
- Structural Engineer: Davies Maguire
- Services Engineer: Webb Yates
- Facade Consultant: Harry Montresor
- Quantity Surveyor: Cumming Group
- Planning Consultant: DP9
- Acoustic Consultant: Cass Allen
- Ecology Consultant: Temple
- Fire Engineer: Norman Disney Young
- BREEAM Assessor: PES
- Party Wall Consultant: Delva Patman Redler
- Principal Designer: PFBG
- Galvanizing Plant: Joseph Ash
[1]: Karakayali, S., & Roberts, M. (2022). Galvanise: Retrofitting a 70s Concrete Warehouse into a Low-Carbon Office Space. Arch Daily. https://www.archdaily.com/968032/galvanise-retrofitting-a-70s-concrete-warehouse-into-a-low-carbon-office-space[2]: Carmody Groarke. (2022). Galvanise. Carmody Groarke. https://www.carmodygroarke.com/galvanise
Travelers exploring the vibrant East London environment may be interested in visiting 'Galvanise', a transformed office space development by Carmody Groarke. This project, funded by Unity Land, is an example of smart real-estate investing and sustainable practices, demonstrating potential returns in both financial and environmental aspects.
