A seamless fusion of upscale commercial, residential, and retail spaces

Short's Gardens

Location Covent Garden, London
Client Legendre UK

Brief History

The design architects for the project were Stanton Williams and Buckley Grey Yeoman. AWW was appointed by the contractor to oversee the project from RIBA Stage 4 onwards.

Vision

The vision for Short's Gardens is to develop a harmonious blend of high-quality commercial and retail spaces, alongside a mix of uses for the basement and ground floor that align with the area's character. The plan includes creating four high-quality residential units of varying sizes, featuring contemporary designs that respect the locale's existing buildings and conservation area. Emphasising maximum transparency, the design aims to seamlessly connect interiors with the vibrant street scene outside. The approach to construction and energy use will be sustainable, prioritising flexibility and efficiency of internal spaces. Additionally, the project will utilise robust materials and architectural details that are sensitive to the historic context.

Design Delivery

The design delivery involves retaining and refurbishing the existing buildings, except for the construction of a new vent shaft building, and adding a two-story extension to both buildings on Short's Gardens and Betterton Street. The Short's Gardens building will feature refurbished and new office spaces, enhanced by new mixed-use areas within the existing non-designated basement. The Betterton Street building will include new residential accommodation, comprising four apartments, complemented by retail spaces at the ground floor level.

Sustainability

BREEAM Very Good targeted.

Old and the new

This historic building was designed to seamlessly blend into the busy scene of Covent Garden, and was restored to connect both the old and the new.

Vibration Control

To address the vibrations caused by UKPN's equipment, we implemented measures to decouple the structures of both buildings using acoustic pads and attenuation techniques.

BIM Integration

Given the project's complexities, utilising Building Information Modeling (BIM) was essential for the project team. This enabled full integration with all project partners and stakeholders, which was crucial for successful delivery, particularly in the context of a retrofit.

Short's Gardens is a stunning project that captures the essence of contemporary development. By blending restoration with carefully designed new construction, the revitalisation breathes new life into the building, creating unique and unexpected opportunities for both commercial and residential spaces."

Charles Jordan, Director and Architect

Construction Challenges

The buildings are located on a narrow, densely populated street, complicating access and construction. Multiple party walls, including one with a UKPN substation, and underground constraints from the Elizabeth Line tunnel 14 meters below, add weight and movement restrictions.

Natural light

The origami inspired roof profile articulates itself to provide an abundance of natural light into the duplex apartment. The residence also features a private, south-facing rooftop terrace that offers panoramic views of the London skyline.

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