Tower Hamlets Council has approved proposals to refurbish Folgate Court, an existing 1960s office building located on the western edge of the London Borough of Tower Hamlets, between Shoreditch and the City of London.

London-based architecture practice Orms has been appointed by DTZi to transform the office building to deliver a high quality, sustainable development that will provide new office accommodation to meet the requirements of the modern day occupier, whilst improving the building’s relationship with the surrounding environment.

Orms’ proposal for Folgate Court includes retaining and upgrading the existing buildings and extending at the rear around the existing courtyard in order to enhance floor space efficiency which supports increased employment density and modern access and inclusivity requirements.

The scheme proposes to replace the building’s existing white panelled street façade with a brick facade to integrate with the all brick street. The new facade will have a more vertical emphasis by referencing the existing 5 bay grid to balance the horizontal brick bands and window fenestration. Depth and articulation will be created on the brick façade to add visual interest. The entrance to the building will be highlighted by protruding glazed bays above the passage.

Floor to ceiling windows will allow abundant light into the deep office floor plan and visually break down the façade. Artist designed perforated metal panels will blend the buildings’ commercial typology into the surrounding brick townhouses of the street,

The plans for the five-storey building, located only a stone’s throw from Liverpool Street Station, also includes measures to significantly improve the building’s sustainability and energy performance to achieve BREEAM (Refurbishment) “Excellent” Rating, as well as increased secure cycle storage for 50 bikes together with a bespoke bike lift and enhanced changing and shower facilities.

Richard Keating, Associate director of Orms said:

“This is an exciting project for us, and an opportunity to revitalise the existing site to create a sustainable office scheme that responds to the diversity and heritage of the area. By enhancing the office building we aim to activate the building’s frontage, and add a range of uses to this part of Folgate Street. We look forward to working with Tower Hamlets Council and the local community to advance our plans.”

Folgate Court is one of several projects Orms are currently working on including the regeneration of St Giles Circus, and central London office refurbishments of Commonwealth House, Oxford House and Abacus House.

Construction on Folgate Court is expected to start in 2017.