Turnmill

Derwent London

'The elegant six-storey corner office block helped to redefine the scope and standards of contemporary office design.' Ike Ijeh

Turnmill
Derwent London

Turnmill sits on a prominent corner site in London's Clerkenwell Green Conservation Area. In respect to the site's unique setting, Piercy&Company focused on sympathetic materials, a strong two-part form, and carefully crafted details. A curved plan form is a direct response to the movement of people around the site, which is set to intensify as Farringdon Crossrail station opens in 2021.

Handmade Roman format Petersen Tegl Kolumba bricks create a horizontal rhythm across the façade and reflect the sturdy masonry characteristics of Clerkenwell's warehouses. The angles of the chamfered window reveals fan out across the building, optimising views out for the office users. En-masse, the varied chamfers animate the façade and emphasise the solidity and texture of the Danish brick.

The double height reception space and glazed link above, break the building’s massing into two elements to preserve the fine urban grain of Clerkenwell. On Turnmill Street, the brickwork continues inside through the curved entrance where it gives way to a palette of polished concrete, timber, and brass.

Details

Client:
Derwent London
Location:
Clerkenwell, London
Type:
Workplace
Gross Floor Area:
97,200 sqft
Stage:
Completed January 2015

Awards

  • Civic Trust Award 2017
  • RIBA Stirling Prize Mid-list 2016
  • RIBA National Award 2016
  • FX Awards 2016, UK Project of the Year
  • Brick Award 2015, Best International & Worldwide Project
  • Schueco Excellence Award 2015
  • BD Office Architect of the Year Award 2016, highly commended
  • RICS Commercial Building Award 2015, highly commended
  • BCO Commercial Workplace Award 2016, shortlisted
  • Blueprint Award 2015, Best non-public use project (commercial), shortlisted

Related News

  1. Turnmill Wins Civic Trust Award 2017
    13th March
  2. RIBA National Award Win
    23rd June
  3. RIBA London Award Win
    4th May
  4. Winners of Best International & Worldwide Project 2015
    19th November
  5. Unveiling Turnmill
    21st May
  6. 2017 Civic Trust Award Regional Finalist
    2nd November
  7. Stuart Piercy at BDA's Brick Works!
    16th June

Project Team

  • Jackson Coles, Project Manager
  • AKT II, Structural Engineer
  • AECOM, Services Engineer
  • AECOM, Cost Consultant
  • Montresor Partnership LLP, Façade Engineer
  • Gerald Eve, Planning Consultant
  • Arup, Specialist Brickwork Consultant
  • Veretec, Contractors Architect
  • McLaren Construction, Main Contractor

Credits

  • Hufton + Crow, Photographer
  • Sophie Bowness (Hepworth Estate), Photographer
  • Jack Hobhouse, Photographer