Description

Located along one of Central London’s oldest thoroughfares connecting Leicester and Trafalgar Squares; Hobhouse is a mixed use development comprising residential, office, gallery and retail spaces and providing a vibrant, accessible environment designed to enhance the streetscape and preserve the historical surroundings. Hobhouse integrates new build with the refurbishment of a 19th Century John Nash building and extensive underground brick vaults. Its relatively unknown courtyard has been transformed into a publicly accessible tranquil urban green oasis.

The new brick elevations comprise of six parts that gradually rise to the south, with chamfered façades and set back upper floors increasing the apex along the roof lines enhancing the public realm. The new facades reflect the retained Nash building using traditional handmade brickwork in a horizontal Flemish bond throughout. Two distinct tones of brick alternate between bays echoing the terraced scale of the surrounding streetscapes. The darker washed brick blend references the patina of the retained facades; with the lighter pink brick being a nod to the buff and red bricks present in the surrounding streets. At the chamfered facades, bespoke hand-laid bricks, each meticulously detailed, handcrafted and numbered, create tactile surfaces accentuated by projecting brick headers. The window openings have surrounding metal frames which become more and more pronounced as the facades recede, exposing rectilinear forms. At the ground floor, the brick facades are articulated as a rusticated horizontal band framing the entrance, retail and lobby spaces.

Interior

Internally, Hobhouse provides a new place for residents, office workers, neighbours and the public alike, incorporating, residential apartments of the highest quality, including dual aspect living and private external spaces; public and commercial gallery space; modern office accommodation flexible in use situated across three floors to maximize views and aspect; a very visible, accessible ground level retail frontage; and high environmental credentials.

Location

The building is located in the City of Westminster along Whitcomb Street connecting Leicester Square and Trafalgar Square. The site is within two conservation areas. To the west, it is bordered by a number of Grade II and Grade II* buildings which form part of Nash’s masterplan. To the south is the United University Building by Reginald Blomfield. To the east, directly in front of the new building is the Sainsbury Wing of the National Gallery.

Why brick?

Taking cues from the retained Nash building, brick, whilst distinctly contemporary also sensitively reflects the richness, grain and materiality of the surrounding historical context.

Plans

Extra Info

Architect:
Brisac Gonzalez with Arquitectonica

Structural Engineer:
Thornton Tomasetti

Services, Environmental and Acoustics Engineer:
Max Fordham

Façade Engineer:
Thornton Tomasetti

Sustainability Consultant:
Scotch Partners

Landscape Designer:
Andy Sturgeon Garden Design

Brick Contractor:
Swift Brickwork Contractors

Executive Architect:
TPBennett

Completed:
January 2020

Area:
ca. 6300m²