The Corporation of the Church House
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Location: London
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Sector: Heritage
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Division: Fit-Out
Our refurbishment of the Grade II listed Church House for The Corporation of Church House transformed its previously tired offices into warm, efficient, modern facilities. The refurbishment has breathed new life into the building, creating a positive, accessible, and inclusive environment.
The project was procured via a competitive two-stage process. We were initially engaged under a PCSA to carry out surveys and strip out works to the existing office space whilst the design and price was developed. We then undertook the fit-out and refurbishment under the main contract.
Church House
Church House, designed by Sir Herbert Baker in 1930, is a grade II listed building that holds great historical and religious value. It served as the official headquarters of the Church of England, which was opened by King George VI in 1940. During World War II, the building provided parliamentary meeting facilities for both houses, and it continues to support significant organizations such as the United Nations and the UN Security Council.
At a glance...
£14m
Project value
102 weeks
Duration
75,000
Sqft
Working in occupation
The works were completed in an occupied and operational building. Works were phased to minimise any disruption to existing staff and tenants. Regular coffee mornings and weekly progress and look-ahead meetings helped identify and mitigate disruptive works or clashes with events and building activities.
Architectural works
Offices spaces on levels 4, 5 and 6 North, and levels 3, 4 and 5 South were stripped back to shell and core before being fitted out to enhanced Cat A or Cat B.
Architecturally, sprayed cork (walls and ceilings) was used to enhance the buildings environmental performance and acoustics. New perimeter joinery provided housing for small power and data. Glazed door-sets, partitions and screens were installed to allow the building to be as flexible as possible for new and existing tenants.
Mechanical and electrical
We delivered extensive M&E modifications and upgrades throughout. Works to the new exposed mechanical and electrical services included lighting, FCU system adaptations, small power, data, security, upgrades of BMS and controls, AV, PA system, and fire alarm.
Specialist joinery was used to enclose the perimeter small power and data requirements, creating easily accessible and flexible conduits for future tenants.
Listed building
Our delivery team worked collaboratively with Historic England to ensure key building features remained, and that the building’s history is clearly visible. The works included repairs to the existing Terrazzo flooring and the repair of the original fibrous plaster work, discovered during strip out, and incorporated into the new design.
Entrance and reception expansion
The existing entrance and main reception on Great Smith Street were significantly enlarged, creating a grand and spacious foyer that enhances Church House’s visitor experience and ease of access.
The new reception required significant demolition and structural alterations, while the fit-out and its finished blend seamlessly with the original features including extending the existing Terrazzo floor.
The works improved DDA access through out.
Health and safety
The project’s 102 weeks programme was delivered by 25 subcontractors (companies) and their 814 employees over 19,993 operative days without accident or incident. Continuing Tilbury Douglas Fit-Out’s “Zero accident” target.
CSR
The project generated significant social value with 93% of subcontractors local SMEs (within 35-mile radius of site), 2 graduates working on site,288 training weeks provided, 98% of waste was recycled and redirected from landfill. The site team contributed over £3,100 to The Corporation of Church House charity Tearfund.
Church House is on track to become a carbon neutral venue by the end of 2024 – six years ahead of target. The multi-purpose conference centre has built sustainability into the heart of its upgrades. This has included working with only sustainable suppliers, redecorating rooms with carbon absorbing paint, installing energy efficient spray cork insulation, building light up walls made of recycled washing machines, installing waterless urinals and fitting carbon-saving LED lighting throughout the building and in the AV technology.
While the project wasn’t BREEAM certified it was delivered using the same principals, processes and governance.
Conclusion
Tilbury Douglas Fit-Out’s refurbishment of Church House for The Corporation of the Church House (TCCH) provides over 75,000 sq ft of modern flexible office and conference facilities for new and existing tenants.
SprayCork Finish
Cork Sol’s innovative sprayed cork product is being used to cover over 16,000m2 of ceilings and walls across all six floors. The environmentally friendly material was originally used in domestic environments and brings significant thermal and acoustic advantages to this project.
The sprayed cork is applied through a four-step process (preparation, spray, plaster, and finish), allowing walls and ceilings to finished to your specification. The cork comes in 28 colours and can be left textured or plastered smooth using a breathable finish.
Its natural, breathable properties are ideally suited to historic buildings, allowing the existing building’s structure to breath and naturally maintain its moisture content and integrity. The materials thermal properties maximise floor space, providing comparable performance of thicker systems from just 6-8mm. The cork’s use has allowed Church House to remove its dated secondary glazing within impacting the building’s energy performance. In addition, the cork’s sound insulating performance mitigates any additional acoustic requirements.
The finish’s thin build up was specifically chosen by the architect, as it maintains a high level of detail and helps celebrate the building’s life. The changes and alterations that have taken place since 1940 are still visible as are the original features.
The use of sprayed cork creates a warm, natural, and comfortable environment in which to work.
Before
After
Our partners
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PM – Currie & Brown
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PQS – Currie & Brown
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Architect – ScottWhitby Studio
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MEP – Webb Yates