TateHindle has revitalised an outdated 1970s office block renamed Irongate following a comprehensive refurbishment bringing it up to contemporary standards. Situated in Aldgate, opposite Grimshaw’s St Boltoph building and St Botolph without Aldgate church, Irongate sits on the boundary between the City of London and the East End.

Featuring a repetitive deep-set window design considered to be a key element of the facade, the building’s granite clad exterior has been retained. A dark and extensive undercroft, which dominated the original entrance, has been enclosed and extends the building’s ground floor. As well as bringing a new entrance closer to the street, this also doubles the size of the reception and creates dedicated space for bike storage, lockers and shower facilities.

The interior has undergone a dramatic transformation with a redesign of the reception and communal areas, and a Cat A refurbishment to the six office floors above. Designed to create an impact from the street, the reception features an eye-catching scheme using lines of recessed strip lights which run elegantly along walls and across ceilings in unexpected angles. A restrained black and white colour scheme is complimented by a refined palette of materials including aluminium mesh, Corian and copper. Striking black linear lights and window reveals add character to office floors and enhance the building’s aspect from outside. Creating a strong brand for the overhauled building was a critical element of the design brief; Irongate celebrates its new identity boldly with the addition of illuminated signage placed either behind or over black mesh panels.