The transformation of Unilever House

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KPF transforms Unilever House at 100 Victoria Embankment in London

Completed in 1931 as Unilever’s headquarters and Grade II listed in 1977, the scope of KPF’s work included re-developing the 1930's structure and a portion of a 1970's extension to the north. Unilever wanted to be able to remain in the building and within the City of London but had operational requirements for a more modern flexible workplace than that provided by the building, which also had significant functional deficiencies. Following an extensive consultation process with Unilever, the City of London and English Heritage, KPF developed proposals which achieved a balance between retaining the important parts of the building’s historic fabric and providing a transformed work place and spatial experience for the many visitors to the building. The floor plates are reconfigured within a spatially interesting atrium, creating a stronger sense of interconnection. Staff and meeting facilities are located at the top of the building, above which is a roof garden. On the ground floor, a café, exhibition space, restaurant and conference area restore the public nature of the building. The fit-out achieves the spirit of openness seen in the 1930's building archive. The transformed Unilever House offers Unilever a new lease of life within their historic home, safeguards the active future of a listed building and brings the building up to British Council for Offices (BCO) specification throughout. The project achieved a BREEAM "excellent" rating and carbon emissions were reduced by 25 percent (far greater than regulations currently require)

Fonte: WorldArchitectureNews