The Hive

The original building was a bland business park type office development dating from the 1990’s requiring significant refurbishment and modernisation to ensure its long-term viability.

The office accommodation had been arranged around a featureless light-well which provided no amenity quality for the building users.

A decision to refurbished and retrofit rather than demolish and rebuild was agreed from the outset due to the significant environmental benefits of retaining the structure and other key elements of the building.

The extent of the retro fit included the replacement of the primary public frontage on the south-east and south-west facades which were re-clad with a high-quality glazing system featuring vertical glass brise-soleil and a ‘fold’ in the curtain walling which peels back to form a canopy over the main entrance.

All other facades were retained and upgraded to vastly improve the energy and air-tightness performance of the building.

Internally the building was completely retrofitted and redesigned where the core, containing the lifts and restrooms, is accessed from walkways which open onto a new atrium space formed within the original light well.

The visual linkage between the office areas and the atrium interior was also vastly improved by the introduction of floor to ceiling height windows bringing daylight deep into the floor.

The existing double height reception space was retained and the entrance sequence was re-planned to create a more generous visual and spatial connection into the new atrium space which becomes the main public space within the building, where staff can enjoying a soaring, light-filled , landscaped environment.

The basement area was reconfigured to provide high quality changing rooms, shower and locker facilities for cyclists.

The exterior was re-landscaped to vastly improve quality and the presence of the building in the streetscape and a specially commissioned sculpture is soon to be installed at the corner of Carmanhall Road and Ballymoss Road.

http://www.thehivesandyford.com