Overview: The refurbishment of The Barbican Centre’s Cinema 2 & 3 continued the concept established by our completed Cinema 1 remodel: reusing and repurposing what existed, before carefully inserting new, sustainably sourced elements. Community Impact & Value: Located on Beech Street, a short walk from the main Barbican complex, a project priority was creating a consistent, legible, visual language that unified the separated sites. Two 152-seat auditoriums share a foyer, cafe and welcome area with a holistic approach to the visitor experience. Creating a visual language which reconnects this separated site with the rest of the Centre ensuring the space is welcoming to all was a key element of the project. Lighting, graphic signage and furniture design took cues from both the original Barbican Centre design, and concepts that we previously created as part of two separate refurbishments to the Art Gallery and Cinema 1 & Pit Theatre. Technical Insights & Challenges: In 2012, Practice Director Paul Ruff developed the facades of the Beech Street building whilst working at the award-winning Allford Hall Monaghan Morris. The design process began by looking backwards, inspiring a modern interpretation of the original exhibition hall facade. In 2021, this approach was repeated in the re-imagining of the interiors and entrance sequence to playfully reference the Barbican’s existing architecture. The iconic coffered ceiling of the main building is reinterpreted as a bright and uplifting entrance lantern at Beech Street. Key Achievements: Cinemas 2 & 3 employed enhanced technology, including digital wayfinding and refinements to paperless ticketing alongside diligent architectural changes that improved accessibility, sales and usability. Bespoke new fixtures soften the feel of the building’s retained concrete structure. The outcome of our comprehensive refurbishment is a contemporary interior that is now clearly identifiable as part of the Barbican. BARBICAN CINEMAS 2&3 Client: Barbican Centre Value: Confidential Status: Completed - Awards: AJ Retrofit Award 2022 Cultural and Religious – Shortlist Hotel, Retail and Leisure – Shortlist Overview: The refurbishment of The Barbican Centre’s Cinema 2 & 3 continued the concept established by our completed Cinema 1 remodel: reusing and repurposing what existed, before carefully inserting new, sustainably sourced elements. Community Impact & Value: Located on Beech Street, a short walk from the main Barbican complex, a project priority was creating a consistent, legible, visual language that unified the separated sites. Two 152-seat auditoriums share a foyer, cafe and welcome area with a holistic approach to the visitor experience. Creating a visual language which reconnects this separated site with the rest of the Centre ensuring the space is welcoming to all was a key element of the project. Lighting, graphic signage and furniture design took cues from both the original Barbican Centre design, and concepts that we previously created as part of two separate refurbishments to the Art Gallery and Cinema 1 & Pit Theatre. Technical Insights & Challenges: In 2012, Practice Director Paul Ruff developed the facades of the Beech Street building whilst working at the award-winning Allford Hall Monaghan Morris. The design process began by looking backwards, inspiring a modern interpretation of the original exhibition hall facade. In 2021, this approach was repeated in the re-imagining of the interiors and entrance sequence to playfully reference the Barbican’s existing architecture. The iconic coffered ceiling of the main building is reinterpreted as a bright and uplifting entrance lantern at Beech Street. Key Achievements: Cinemas 2 & 3 employed enhanced technology, including digital wayfinding and refinements to paperless ticketing alongside diligent architectural changes that improved accessibility, sales and usability. Bespoke new fixtures soften the feel of the building’s retained concrete structure. The outcome of our comprehensive refurbishment is a contemporary interior that is now clearly identifiable as part of the Barbican.

Overview: Consisting of a pair of ten and thirteen storey blocks, the 176 home scheme provides a new gateway marker to the developing northern town centre and train station arrival. The former 0.5HA underutilised Network Rail site will enable additional centrally located family housing. Community Impact & Value: Increased significantly during the delivery stages, 70% of the new homes have been completed for Hounslow Council as social rental apartments for local people. The scheme is an exemplar for the joint venture between EcoWorld and Lampton 360. Our detailed design and delivery with CField enables the Lifschutz Davidson Sandilands planning concept to be delivered efficiently and within a tight time frame. Technical Insights & Challenges: Activation and passive supervision via the new residential use to the western side of the Longford River has enabled wider towpath enhancement and connection to Glebelands Park. The large building mass when viewed from the south is chamfered and stepped to provide relief and variation. The private amenity spaces are delivered through four balcony types addressing thermal bridging and assisting in softening gable and long elevations. The wide variation of apartment layouts, sizes and typology creates a welcome offer to new residents. The delivery of these behind the original designed regular façade, created fabric, building services and compliance challenges. This was developed and resolved through close working relationships with the subcontractors and main contractor, delivering a project surpassing the 2022 Part L requirements. Key Achievements: This focus on new social housing delivery shows the importance being placed on regeneration of vacant and contaminated brownfield sites. A scheme that addresses the national housing crisis whilst producing landmark buildings as targeted in the Hounslow development plan. NEW ROAD TRIANGLE Client: Hounslow Council/ EcoWorld Value: 32 million Status: Completed Overview: Consisting of a pair of ten and thirteen storey blocks, the 176 home scheme provides a new gateway marker to the developing northern town centre and train station arrival. The former 0.5HA underutilised Network Rail site will enable additional centrally located family housing. Community Impact & Value: Increased significantly during the delivery stages, 70% of the new homes have been completed for Hounslow Council as social rental apartments for local people. The scheme is an exemplar for the joint venture between EcoWorld and Lampton 360. Our detailed design and delivery with CField enables the Lifschutz Davidson Sandilands planning concept to be delivered efficiently and within a tight time frame. Technical Insights & Challenges: Activation and passive supervision via the new residential use to the western side of the Longford River has enabled wider towpath enhancement and connection to Glebelands Park. The large building mass when viewed from the south is chamfered and stepped to provide relief and variation. The private amenity spaces are delivered through four balcony types addressing thermal bridging and assisting in softening gable and long elevations. The wide variation of apartment layouts, sizes and typology creates a welcome offer to new residents. The delivery of these behind the original designed regular façade, created fabric, building services and compliance challenges. This was developed and resolved through close working relationships with the subcontractors and main contractor, delivering a project surpassing the 2022 Part L requirements. Key Achievements: This focus on new social housing delivery shows the importance being placed on regeneration of vacant and contaminated brownfield sites. A scheme that addresses the national housing crisis whilst producing landmark buildings as targeted in the Hounslow development plan.

Overview: At the time, our third consecutive commission by the iconic Hearst publishing house was to deliver a complete spatial redesign and interior fit out across all five floors in their flagship 70,915sqft House of Hearst headquarters in Leicester Square, London. Community Impact & Value: Our creation of seven new individual and team working spaces focused on a restructured publishing house culture that moved Hearst away from the solo desk and outdated siloed configuration. Biophilic design principles underpinned the wider holistically sustainable approach, transforming the Workplace through natural materials and use of daylight. Over 200 large scale multi-species of plant life was playfully used throughout, ensuring each of the six repurposed entrance foyers better supported movement, wellbeing, collaborative working and a re-invigorated and exciting social congregation space. Technical Insights & Challenges: Designed and delivered during a national period of Covid-19 lockdown, our first principles approached to the CAT B sustainable retrofit approach reused over 95% of existing building materials, making up 76% of all used materials in the project. These bespoke designs met the clients exacting standards of finish and drove innovation. Key Achievements: The scheme delivered over 50% embodied carbon, saving during construction whilst maintaining operational continuity for all digital publishing. Our adopted Client informed post occupancy analysis models at 3, 6, 9 and 12 month intervals has mapped a similar percentage in operation carbon energy saving. User feedback and technical data has allowed informed decisions for additional layout adoption and budgeting to evolve the new setup and structure in this dynamic industry leading, future of work environment. HOUSE OF HEARST Client: Hearst Value: Confidential Status: Completed Overview: At the time, our third consecutive commission by the iconic Hearst publishing house was to deliver a complete spatial redesign and interior fit out across all five floors in their flagship 70,915sqft House of Hearst headquarters in Leicester Square, London. Community Impact & Value: Our creation of seven new individual and team working spaces focused on a restructured publishing house culture that moved Hearst away from the solo desk and outdated siloed configuration. Biophilic design principles underpinned the wider holistically sustainable approach, transforming the Workplace through natural materials and use of daylight. Over 200 large scale multi-species of plant life was playfully used throughout, ensuring each of the six repurposed entrance foyers better supported movement, wellbeing, collaborative working and a re-invigorated and exciting social congregation space. Technical Insights & Challenges: Designed and delivered during a national period of Covid-19 lockdown, our first principles approached to the CAT B sustainable retrofit approach reused over 95% of existing building materials, making up 76% of all used materials in the project. These bespoke designs met the clients exacting standards of finish and drove innovation. Key Achievements: The scheme delivered over 50% embodied carbon, saving during construction whilst maintaining operational continuity for all digital publishing. Our adopted Client informed post occupancy analysis models at 3, 6, 9 and 12 month intervals has mapped a similar percentage in operation carbon energy saving. User feedback and technical data has allowed informed decisions for additional layout adoption and budgeting to evolve the new setup and structure in this dynamic industry leading, future of work environment.

OVERVIEW: This 55 home masterplan for an edge of village development in East Sussex brings sustainability and social value to the forefront of a successful scheme on the 5.6HA former agricultural site. When delivered, our prescribed, ‘within 15-mile sourcing of materials’, sees local clays used to ensure the contemporary brickwork designs bed the highly energy efficient homes into the existing local vernacular. COMMUNITY IMPACT/VALUE: By knitting into the local green infrastructure and existing footpath network our ‘green finger parks’ ensure a series of distinct characters to our ‘place first’ approach. We ensure each home looks over uplifted and new habitat, increasing biodiversity by a 57% net gain. Open green space and public accessible shared amenity also covers 20% of the site. The thriving village extension builds on the rich local history, 22 listed buildings, cottages and farm typologies, all within the Conservation Area. Natural play and SUDS are wide swales and attenuation depressions that become natural amphitheatres and boardwalks. TECHNICAL INSIGHTS/CHALLENGES: Focused and open public consultation events, supported by the local developer’s understanding, ensured collaborative engagement with sustainability driving the co-created brief. A mixture of passive and active measures are introduced, with an efficient fabric and airtight envelope achieving 100% A-rated SAP (2023) certification for the new homes. The fabric first approach is supported by air-source heat pumps paired with grey water recycling and low operational energy use with comprehensive electrical charging with full adaptability. KEY ACHIEVEMENTS: The delivery stages will be supported with a parallel project that sees the potential for 100% onsite energy generation and a green electrical tariff, showing cutting edge design and sustainability can sitting harmoniously in this mature woodland village setting. EAST HOATHLY Client: Oakford Developments Value: Confidential Status: Planning OVERVIEW: This 55 home masterplan for an edge of village development in East Sussex brings sustainability and social value to the forefront of a successful scheme on the 5.6HA former agricultural site. When delivered, our prescribed, ‘within 15-mile sourcing of materials’, sees local clays used to ensure the contemporary brickwork designs bed the highly energy efficient homes into the existing local vernacular. COMMUNITY IMPACT/VALUE: By knitting into the local green infrastructure and existing footpath network our ‘green finger parks’ ensure a series of distinct characters to our ‘place first’ approach. We ensure each home looks over uplifted and new habitat, increasing biodiversity by a 57% net gain. Open green space and public accessible shared amenity also covers 20% of the site. The thriving village extension builds on the rich local history, 22 listed buildings, cottages and farm typologies, all within the Conservation Area. Natural play and SUDS are wide swales and attenuation depressions that become natural amphitheatres and boardwalks. TECHNICAL INSIGHTS/CHALLENGES: Focused and open public consultation events, supported by the local developer’s understanding, ensured collaborative engagement with sustainability driving the co-created brief. A mixture of passive and active measures are introduced, with an efficient fabric and airtight envelope achieving 100% A-rated SAP (2023) certification for the new homes. The fabric first approach is supported by air-source heat pumps paired with grey water recycling and low operational energy use with comprehensive electrical charging with full adaptability. KEY ACHIEVEMENTS: The delivery stages will be supported with a parallel project that sees the potential for 100% onsite energy generation and a green electrical tariff, showing cutting edge design and sustainability can sitting harmoniously in this mature woodland village setting.

All Posts 2024 2023 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 Project: Guildford Plaza There’s been plenty going on at the Tiger Developments, CField, Habito and Ruff Guildford Plaza project recently. We recently returned... Studio: We’re Hiring! RUFFARCHITECTS is currently looking for a new Senior Architect to join the team. Are you an architect with a passion for creating... Studio: RUFF Director’s Thoughts Following on from the new Chancellor’s speech, RUFF Director Paul had some thoughts to share on here: A New Era of Housebuilding: Can... Project: Well House Material Palette At the heart of our design philosophy for this project lies a profound appreciation for natural materials and colours. Our design palette... Awards: A passionate piece on housing written for Architects’ Journal for their Call to Arms for the new Labour government. Instead of the relentless political one-upmanship over housing policy, the next government should collaborate across parties and move on... Project: Exciting Progress at the New Road Triangle Project We are pleased to share a significant milestone in our ongoing New Road Triangle project this week. The installation of beautiful... Awards: BCIA Residential Project of the Year We are super excited to share that our Lion Green Road has been shortlisted for the Residential Building of the Year category at the... Studio: Private Viewing of Francis Alÿs: Ricochets We were thrilled to be back at the Barbican this week to enjoy an exclusive showing of Francis Alÿs’s immersive exhibition: Ricochet. For... Awards: BCIA Placemaking Project of the Year We are excited to announce have been nominated in the Placemaking Project of the Year category at the prestigious British Construction... Project: Wetherhill A recent snap from Wetherhill. Finished in 2018, it was wonderful to see this inspiring residential space so well cared for and still as... Studio: BHA Final Chance The 23rd of May is your last chance to enter the 2024 British Home Awards Last year, our collaboration project with Mary Duggan, Lion... Studio: Design Museum It was wonderful to explore the latest exhibitions at the Design Museum in Kensington. It was particularly fascinating to learn about the... Studio: Architecture Journal What does it take to win at the AJ’s? You can now take a sneak peak inside the supporting material we submitted as part of our winning... Project: Tottenham Hale It’s been a focused period on the residential development and now we are gearing up for the central pavilion with Grants public realm. Studio: Shaping The City Swatting up ahead of Thursdays visit to Birmingham with Architecture Today, Isabel Allen, howells, courtesy of friend, Editor and... Studio: Help to grow As part of our ongoing commitment to developing the expertise of the studio team, RUFFARCHITECTS Director Paul Ruff has spent the last 3... Project: Gray’s Inn Road Bringing together our material palette for this mixed use scheme near Kings Cross. Project: Long Meadow It might not look like much right now…but it has potential! Really looking forward to seeing this unique plot emerge as a scheme. Studio: MIPIM RUFFARCHITECTS Director Paul Ruff reflects on his time at this years MIPIM alongside RIBA; ”Our studio, like many others, has been... Project: Guildford Out with the old and in with the new at our Guildford site. Groundwork’s and frame motoring on the constrained sloping site. Studio: Easter Egg Painting Happy Easter from a few unusual characters in our latest RUFFARCHITECTS Studio activity 🐣 1 2 3 4 5