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Architects Studio RHE have unveiled their designs for Republic, a dynamic collaborative campus focused on well-being, connectivity, creativity and flexibility.
Working with Trilogy Property and LaSalle Investment Management, Studio RHE’s plans transform the 1990s post-modern office complex at East India Dock, London.
The first phase of work on Building R1 started on-site in October 2016, and sees the building updated with the re-cladding and extension of the facades at ground and first floors. This creates a new transparent, modern aesthetic to house the amenities including retail, bars and cafes with extensive outdoor terraces.
Modern engineered timber and black steel continue inside the building with a dramatic, extended atrium space over 10 storeys, built entirely from a glulam timber grid.
The design is centred around well-being at work with increased daylight, better levels of ventilation, direct connections with nature and planting in the biodiverse central gardens. A plan layout encourages the use of the carefully placed central staircase over the first three floors, with extensive undercover local cycle parking, a large gym and extensive planted roof terraces.
Collaborative working is encouraged through the provision of shared work and meeting space inside the atrium at ground floor level, which connects directly to the external communal terraces and water gardens.
Designed to appeal to the next generation of creative and tech businesses, Republic will create an attractive work and leisure environment, becoming a new neighbourhood in this previously overlooked corner of London’s Docklands.
A 10,000 sq ft co-working space, event space and rooftop bar on the 9th Floor is set to launch in January 2017. Off-Quay, a temporary cultural hub and Quilombero, a restaurant launched by East End food stars Missy Flynn and Gabriel Pryce, are already operating on site.
Completing in phases over the next five years, the development is expected to compete on price with key locations in the South East and major UK regional centres, coming in at half the price of current occupational costs in Shoreditch and just one third of the West End. The first building is set to complete in October 2017.
The campus will eventually provide 650,000 sq ft of low-cost high-quality affordable workplace, a wide range of amenities, generous public realm and extensive green spaces around the existing lake.
Richard Hywel Evans, Director of Studio RHE, commented: "This is an exciting opportunity to transform a 1990s office complex into a dynamic collaborative 21st century campus. The creation of varied flexible working spaces, installation of innovative amenities and facilities, combined with extensive new public realm, will create a sustainable unique new working neighbourhood.”
Robert Wolstenholme, Director, Trilogy Property added: “It is great to be working again with Studio RHE following the success we shared at the Alphabeta Building. The journey from Shoreditch to Tower Hamlets has been a deliberate one, as we look to create the next generation of offices bringing new innovations in sustainability, wellness and placemaking. Our aim is to create a “trophy” workplace for London but deliverable at occupational costs comparable to Manchester, Birmingham or Reading”.
Republic is the latest workplace development by Studio RHE, and follows the success of Alphabeta in London/Shoreditch, which was fully let at completion in 2015, and was later sold for a £200m premium by the developers Resolution. Alphabeta won extensive awards in 2016 including; RIBA London, BCO Regional and National Awards and was shortlisted by the NLA and AJ Retrofit Awards.
Nick Myall
News editor