This conversion of a 1930's former laboratory building provides 2,000 square metres of accommodation for 80 staff in North London. This was an environmental and ecological refurbishment, incorporating a variety of low energy design features in a fast track programme. Materials were carefully selected to minimise their impact on the environment in manufacture, use and ultimate disposal.

The project makes maximum use of the substantial window areas in the existing building to provide controlled and natural lighting and ventilation, and utilises a combined heat and power plant for providing both heat and electricity.

A new internal accommodation stair was inserted through the centre of the building to provide closer connection between the different parts of the organisation on the four floors. The stair is suspended within a larger stairwell which admits additional light into the centre of the building as well as enhancing ventilation by stack effect.

The construction budget was £1.5 million for a contract period of one year with a management contract allowing an early start on site.

Client: Greenpeace UK

Construction value: £1,500,000

Completion: August 1991