In Pictures – The UK’s Biggest Design and Build Project on Record

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27 May 2021

Office design and build company Oktra has delivered the refurbishment to One Portsoken Street – the UK’s biggest design and build project on record.

Originally built in the 80s, One Portsoken Street is 233,000 sq ft of premium office space for a range of tenants. Located on the edge of the City of London, the iconic brutalist building is connected to both London's financial sector and creative industries. 

 

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20% Increase in Lettable Space

 

Oktra has delivered the record-breaking project, gutting the nine-storey building and filling what was once one of the largest atriums in Europe. The interior optimisation has led to a 20 per cent increase in lettable space.

“We’ve fused the defining characteristics of design and build with comparatively traditional delivery and management processes in order to deliver the largest project in UK design and build history,” explained Craig Smith, Oktra’s Chief Development Officer.

“The result is a redefinition of what’s possible in design and build: One Portsoken is a ground-breaking project for Oktra and for the London design and build market. It’s a great thing to be involved in.”

 

Original Design Elements

 

The refurbishment includes restoration of One Portsoken’s original design elements in order to preserve the building’s history, with all modern finishes kept neutral in order to compliment the design. Standout elements include circular turrets, exposed concrete, terracotta floor tiles, exposed steel beams and sweeping London views from the top floor featuring the original atrium’s glass ceiling.

One Portsoken Street is in the process of achieving a ‘Very Good’ rating from BREEAM, the world’s leading sustainability assessment method. 100 per cebt of site waste was diverted from landfill; 99.35 per cent of waste was recycled, while the other 0.65 per cent was incinerated to produce energy. These recycling efforts reduced the project’s carbon emissions by 73 per cent.

Surrounded by Tower Hill, Tower Gateway, Aldgate and Aldgate East underground stations, the new One Portsoken features a lively public ground floor and landscaped open space. Floorplate sizes range from 10,000 to 30,000 sq ft and are designed to accommodate up to three separate tenants. The building features impressive ceiling heights ranging from 4-10 metres and improved destination control with nine new lifts and a striking lobby space with a two-and-a-half-storey atrium.  

 

Inside the Refurbishment 

 

Picture: a photograph of the interior of One Portsoken Street

 

Picture: a photograph of the washrooms at One Portsoken Street

 

Picture: a photograph of the view from a balcony at One Portsoken Street. The Shard and other landmarks can be seen from here.

 

Picture: a photograph of the interior of One Portsoken Street, showing a reception desk

 

Picture: a photograph of the interior of One Portsoken Street, showing a corridor

 

Main Picture: a photograph of the exterior of One Portsoken Street

Article written by Ella Tansley | Published 27 May 2021

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