Emrys Architects

Working on behalf of CLI Dartriver, our Coleman Street redevelopment will bring warm and welcoming, high specification commercial space, and an improved public realm within the City of London!

A key objective – and challenge – was to reinvigorate the site with a new building while retaining elements of its existing charm and heritage. Extensive consideration has gone into the relationship between the new development and the surrounding cityscape context, where facades of natural stone and London stock brick express different styles of urban characteristics and uses.

We've designed the upper levels with garden terraces that promote social and work interaction, together with high performance mixed mode glazing, energy efficient lighting, and nickel coloured metal cladding with punched windows between green walls, reminiscent of the lead covered Georgian mansard roofs.

In addition, Great Swan Alley – a partially pedestrianised public alley which links Moorgate to Coleman Street – will be transformed to encourage use and bring further activity to street level.

We're currently on site, so stay tuned for updates as work progresses on this exciting project!

Designed in close collaboration with WE ARE Ibstock - at the heart of building, we are delighted to share that our Berners & Wells building has been shortlisted for the Brick Awards!

The The Brick Development Association embraces progess, sustainability, craftsmanship and creativity - so we're thrilled to be in the running this year - and of course none of this would be possible without our extraordinary team of project partners:

Project Manager: Blackburn & Co. Ltd
Structural Engineers: Elliott Wood
MEP: GDM Partnership / Ampsail
Contractor: McLaren
Planning Consultants: Rolfe Judd Planning
Landscape Architects: Farrer Huxley
Sustainability Consultants: Verte Ltd
Curtain Wall: Aluprof UK
Façade Engineering: Interface Facade Engineering
Berners Street Façade: Albion Stone plc
Berners Street Façade: WE ARE Ibstock - at the heart of building
Berners Street Façade: Darwen Terracotta
Roundels & Glazed-brick pattern: Tess Jaray
Lighting: Light The Future
Photographer: Alan Williams

We are so excited our Berners & Wells scheme has been shortlisted for Best New Place to Work in The Building London Planning Awards!

Celebrating their 20th year, the Building London Planning Awards is organised by non-profit organisation, Business LDN in partnership with the Mayor of London, and recognises exemplary projects in design and sustainability across London's built environment sector.

Berners and Wells is an exciting, new, user-oriented development in Fitzrovia, located just north of Oxford Street in central London. The design sits across two urban blocks and bridges across Wells Mews, creating two connected buildings.

Inside, light-filled workspaces are set within carefully detailed, welcoming interiors, which enjoy stunning views and access to a range of outdoor spaces!

The lower two floors feature flexible retail space to activate the street, and the project brings significant improvements to the public realm.

A huge thanks to our entire team and project collaborators. We're looking forward to the ceremony event in October this year!

Planning Consultants: Rolfe Judd Planning
Project Manager: Blackburn & Co. Ltd
Structural Engineers: Elliott Wood
MEP: GDM Partnership / Ampsail
Contractor: McLaren
Landscape Architects: Farrer Huxley
Sustainability Consultants: Verte Ltd
Lighting: Light The Future
Curtain Wall: Aluprof UK
Berners Street Façade: Albion Stone plc
Berners Street Façade: WE ARE Ibstock - at the heart of building
Berners Street Façade: Darwen Terracotta
Photographer: Alan Williams
Glazed-brick pattern: Tess Jaray

Thirty Broadwick is landmark building built for Great Portland Estates (GPE) to provide exemplary office, restaurant and retail space in the heart of Soho.

Placing sustainability and occupant wellbeing at the core of the design, Thirty Broadwick evolved from an extensive retrofit to a full, new build, BREEAM Excellent design!

The challenge to create an 11,000 sqm building that sits comfortably within the narrow streets of Soho has been achieved through an analysis of what makes Soho work: its character; palette of materials; proportion of buildings to streets; and through an appreciation of the public realm.

We employed a palette of materials which correspond to the materiality of the conservation area’s vernacular, yet applied them in a contemporary manner. One section of the façade is roman brick with Portland stone while another is clad in petrol-black faience. Geometric carved stone panels by the incredible artist, Sasha Holzer, are integral to the design and are incorporated within the facades.

Thirty Broadwick has been designed with glazing around much of the perimeter of the building, and good floor-to-ceiling heights. Opening windows ensure a connection to the outside, together with a generous staircase and 163 cycle spaces to encourage fitness, among comfortable interiors.

An elegant glazed box roof extension with an exaggerated canopy replaces a dilapidated mansard extension added in the 1990s, enhancing the overall appearance of this building located between the Seven Dials and Bloomsbury Conservation Areas.

Richard Seifert’s original design of the building has been respected and celebrated. The curved brown brick façade to upper floors has been retained, restored and painted black, while geometric patterns reflecting Seifert’s style adorn a new ground floor, shopfront façade. Accessed from a narrow side street, expanses of glass curtain walling frame a new double height reception space.

Inside, the monochromatic palette continues, with all internal finishes black and white ◼️ ◻️

While the footprint has been expanded to make more efficient use of the available space, the structure is stepped back to reduce its bulk and to respect the host building’s characteristic stepped façade.

We were thrilled to attend the 80th birthday party for the incredible Peter Murray OBE at The Guildhall, London, who arrived on bicycle riding in front of this London bus driven by Peter Hendy, Lord of Richmond Hill and Chair of Network Rail

Emrys have a long and wonderful history with Peter Murray, who is the Co-Founder of the New London Architecture and started the London Festival of Architecture amongst many other things!

The unstoppable force that Peter is, just abseiled down Leadenhall Building - the Cheesegrater on behalf of The Lord Mayor's Appeal 🧗‍♂️🏙️ helping to raise funds for to deliver ground breaking programmes and solutions to some of London’s most pressing societal issues.

Working in close collaboration with planning consultancy, Rolfe Judd Planning, we are thrilled to see our Berners and Wells scheme shortlisted in the 'design excellence' category within this year's Planning Awards!

This prestigious awards competition celebrates the very best in planning and placemaking, recognising excellence across a range of disciplines.

Our mixed-use scheme has created over 7,000 sqm of new office and retail space in the heart of central London. We retained, repaired and extended a fine Edwardian façade on Wells Street, alongside a completely redeveloped building on Berners Street, as seen here.

Careful attention was given to ensure that massing and key elevational details pair well with the immediate context, especially the neighbouring Grade II listed Sanderson Hotel.

The simultaneous development of these two sites allowed us to bridge across the central space, Wells Mews, and create two connected buildings while enriching an underused back street. Taking cues from other successful squares and closes such as Heddon Street and St Christopher’s Place, our design reimagines this semi-enclosed mews space as an opportunity to re-stitch the building into the high street.

Fingers crossed for the Planning Awards Ceremony taking place on Thursday 13th June! 🤞

Taking a closer look at one of our favourite retrofit projects, Bridge House - a Grade II-listed office in the Borough High Street Conservation Area.

The previous workspaces felt cramped and failed to adequately provide for users.

Our ambition was to create flexible and bright spaces, so we identified and enhanced the inherent building qualities, exposing internal brickwork and concrete to introduce warmth and character. The exposed and cleaned wall and structural finishes help to tell the layered history of the site.

We optimised the 3.6m ceiling height for excellent views over Southwark Cathedral, the River Thames the city!

The new ground floor entrance revitalises the public frontage alongside a warm and welcoming, café and lower ground floor restaurant.

Bridge House is a testament to the quality and importance of renovation, addressing both the historic building and unsympathetic modern extensions of the 1970s – now offering an improved and enjoyable workplace for all users and visitors for many years to come.

Come and join us on Thursday 27th June for a Studio Late as part of the London Festival of Architecture programme, with the month-long festival now celebrating its 20th anniversary!

Drop into our subterranean studio in Farringdon to see behind the scenes. We'll be reimagining the studio for an evening event, think Speakeasy with cocktails and nibbles, while our friendly team chat to you about some of our current and past retrofit projects.

Visitors will be able to move around the studio, taking in different aspects of projects, both visual and tactile.

📍Thursday 27 June, 18:30 – 21:30

Head over to the London Festival of Architecture for more information here: https://bit.ly/44W5Et8

We dropped in to Barkers of Kensington to check on the site progress of our sensitive retrofit and redevelopment of this Grade II listed, former department store building – securing its longterm future as prime office and retail space.

Our team was split into two groups as we toured the 52,000 sqm building, which is an iconic example of Art Deco retail architecture. As seen here at the top of the building, the distinctive roof lanterns will be repurposed into unique dining spaces with a new café and landscaped outdoor terraces.

Stay tuned for future updates on this extraordinary project!

We've repaired and restored this 7-storey housing block, first built in the 1960s on a bomb-damaged site in the heart of Westminster.

Our design team have enhanced the existing rows of projecting concrete balconies and retained the red brick façade and the technical stone cladding, echoing the post-war vernacular.

A complete redesign of the entrance now features a new street level portico, creating a welcoming arrival experience and architectural language better suited to the streetscape.

The existing underground car park was being under-utilised with only one of the residents using it, and the gated entrance created a gap in the frontage that did not match the rhythm of the street. So, we replaced the car park and ramp with four additional flats: three of which are dual aspect and ensure reliable access to fresh air and daylight!

A key driver was to reduce the need for demolition and instead make use of the existing structure. The concrete within the basement was completely retained and worked around to deliver these new homes, now fit for the future.

Emrys are celebrating EarthDay.org and showing our support towards environmental conservation and sustainability. We're proud to play our part through our work decarbonising buildings - always adopting a retrofit first approach wherever possible.

Here, our Cornwell House project is a sensitively refurbished, Grade II listed building in the Clerkenwell Green Conservation area which now enjoys high quality, futureproofed office space and a retail unit on the ground floor.

It's deeply important to us as an architectural practice that we create heatlhy spaces for living, working and playing. Our approach embodies repurposing as much as possible, where possible - reducing operational and embodied carbon, together with incorporating robust, quality materials and finishes that will stand the test of time.

Happy Earth Day! 🌍

We've refurbished a Grade II-listed Victorian mansion block for a London restaurant, adding a new glass extension into the rear courtyard - setting the scene for a unique dining experience!

Together with German-Swiss architect Oberholzer & Brüschweiler, we were approached to re-think the look and feel, while retaining key design elements of the existing brand. Colourful wallpapers, bespoke artwork, textured fabrics and soft lighting add balance the industrial edge of the space and bring ambience to the restaurant.

The variety of materials have been used to create a collection of distinct spaces in which to enjoy a solitary bite to eat, a social meal or a larger gathering. Customers can choose to sit on bar stools at high tables, in comfy café style wicker chairs, in cosy armchairs, or at more traditional dining tables. We had so much fun working on this different type of project!

Once cow sheds and then horse stables, we have transformed the outbuildings at this Grade II listed farm house in the South Downs National Park!

The plot was split by building awall across the garden and courtyard, built in the traditional way by local masons using flint, repurposed bricks, and natural lime mortar.

We then introduced a separate two bedroom dwelling in the outbuildings, and retained and renovated most of the external fabric!

Northend Stables is now two buildings linked by a striking new glass structure, which unites the spaces and allowed an extra bedroom & bathroom to be part of the house without visually interfering with the courtyard.

We are so pleased to be featured on Mix Interiors with our latest project, Berners & Wells, which encompasses office, retail and public realm spaces in the heart of central London.

Berners & Wells is a portmanteau of Berners-Allsopp Estate and its home on Wells Street, where original features meet warm interiors with contemporary flair ✨

Click here to see how our mixed-use project preserves Edwardian architecture: https://bit.ly/3xge7dH

As we welcome in Spring, we see our outdoor spaces come alive and can begin to enjoy warmer temperatures, longer days, and smell the flowers, literally!

Here, our Bridge House workplace scheme on Borough High Street features a wonderful shared roof terrace, provided with its own catering servery and WC core - creating an excellent, bookable amenity space that can be used all-year round for a variety of events.

We reconfigured the former plant space and the lift overrun to create these communal rooftop gardens and contemporary glass box, carefully detailed and set in 2m from the façade line to minimise impact on the local & longer views.

Set between natural stone sculpted lintels and expressive brick piers, the façade at 247 Wimbledon features these stunning faience spandrel panels with a decorative motif, inspired by local Arts & Crafts detailing.

It's fantastic to see the façade fully revealed now that the scaffolding has come down.

Check out Wimbledon Offices Ltd & 247 Wimbledon for more updates as progress continues!

So thrilled to see our Berners and Wells scheme featured in Architecture Today!

The new mixed-use development for Berners-Allsopp Estate and Schroders features a glazed-brick, patterned façade created in collaboration with artist Tess Jaray. Check out the full article here: https://bit.ly/438d9fy

Project Manager: Blackburn & Co. Ltd
Structural Engineers: Elliott Wood
MEP: GDM Partnership / Ampsail
Contractor: McLaren
Landscape Architects: Farrer Huxley
Sustainability Consultants: Verte Ltd
Planning Consultants: Rolfe Judd Planning
Lighting: Light The Future
Curtain Wall: Aluprof UK
Berners Street Façade: Albion Stone plc
Berners Street Façade: WE ARE Ibstock - at the heart of building
Berners Street Façade: Darwen Terracotta
Photographer: Alan Williams

A Grade II listed, 18th century house on Fitzroy Street runs through to a 1970s mews building behind, located on Grafton Mews.

We reconfigured the co-joined buildings, placing new office space in the rear mews and removing an unattractive top floor mansard, replacing it with warm materials and a design that sits comfortably with its neighbours.

The sliding doors were added for security and to work within the charming mews aesthetic!

We're absolutely delighted to see our mixed-use scheme, Berners and Wells featured as a case study in the February 2024 issue of Architects’ Journal Specification, Façades & Cladding!

Set over two urban blocks, the new development has created over 7,000 sqm of office and retail space with warm and bright interiors, together with significant improvements to the public realm and a retained façade on Wells Street.

We had fun designing the elevations and material palette, taking cues from historic buildings in the local Fitzrovia area, made up of stone and brick. We introduced a series of arches clad in Portland Stone with a teal glazed brick - collaborating with artist Tess Jaray to complete the roundels in the entrance way and pattern on the curve at the rear of the building on Wells Mews. Bridging across two sites allowed us to create two connected buildings, with a variety of flexible and unique spaces.

Huge thanks to all involved:

Berners-Allsopp Estate and Schroders (Client)
Blackburn & Co. Ltd (Project Manageer)
Elliott Wood (Structural Engineers)
Rolfe Judd Planning (Planning Consultants)
Aluprof UK (Curtain Wall)
Albion Stone plc (Berners Street façade)
Ibstock Brick - Official (Berners Street façade)
Darwen Terracotta (Berners Street façade)
GDM Partnership Ampsail (MEP)
McLaren (Contractor)
Farrer Huxley (Landscape Architects)
Verte Ltd (Sustainability Consultants)
Light The Future (Lighting)

Head over to the AJ to see the full case study here: https://bit.ly/48yemOd

We're on site at Barkers of Kensington! Here’s a sneak peek of our progress retrofitting this iconic, 52,000 sqm building!

The entrance space on Derry Street is dark, enclosed and dated, and will be opened up and enlarged to improve both the arrival experience and connections through the building, with Art Deco-inspired finishes and a new grand staircase and escalators referencing the building’s heritage.

The barrel-vaulted glazed roof remains in good condition and will be retained, while the internal layouts have been completely reimagined with a new atrium design that features bridges, stairs and four fully glazed scenic lifts.

We made an Emrys table for our reception seating area, welcoming guests visiting the studio! It's also pretty handy for storing print copies of our favourite architecture magazines! 📚

Here's a close-up detail shot of the bronze anodised aluminium balustrades set against the stone plinth cladding and petrol teal coloured glazed brick at our Berners & Wells scheme in Fitzrovia, London.

Faience has a beautiful glazed finish which reflects light and provides depth & character. This elegant palette of materials creates a colourful lift and texture to the façade, and echoes the local Fitzrovia historic buildings which are predominantly brick and Portland stone.

The distinctive roof lanterns – one of the Barkers of Kensington building’s most defining features that capture the spirit of the age they were built – will become an extraordinary space with private dining rooms, as part of a new landscaped terrace, bar and café.

Our sensitive, £120M retrofit of this glorius, Grade II listed, former department store will secure its future as prime office and retail space.

So excited to see the scaffolding coming down at our 247 Wimbledon project, located on The Broadway in Wimbledon.

The faience spandrel panels feature a decorative motif with brick piers and natural stone sculpted lintels, which are looking spectuacular so far!

This brand new, purpose-built development will offer light-filled office space across four upper floors, together with a multi-functional reception space which includes a lounge, café, and flexible co-working space on the ground and lower floors.

Stay tuned for future updates 🏗️🏢

Berners & Wells, our recently completed mixed-use development in central London, has been designed with warm interiors that cater to all users - be it office workers occupying on the upper levels, or anybody using and visiting the retail units on the ground and lower levels.

We've introduced a series of informal meeting and breakout areas, paying close attention to the circulation of spaces and the material palette 🎨🏢

Emrys are kicking off 2024 with a bang at our refurbished studio, located in Smithfield, London!

We converted an old service ramp into a new breakout area with lockers and Fatboy bean bags, alongside a bank of sit and stand workstations. Then, we brightened things up by painting the floor with orange Coo-Var Paints and changing the lighting to LEDs that vary in warmth during the day. Shoutout to Zumtobel for the ECOOS lights which have a range of 2,000 to 7,000! 💡

Our plant collection continues to grow and thrive, with thanks to Sandrine for her ongoing nurturing 🪴🌱

We've refurbished a pair of warehouse buildings in Covent Garden with six stunning new apartments.

Situated down a side street almost directly opposite the Royal Opera House, these four-storey, Grade II listed buildings have been completely transformed with warm interiors, complemented by limed oak flooring, walnut joinery and bronze ironmongery!