10 Buckingham Gate

Upgrading a Grade II listed headquarters for the Duchy of Cornwall to create an accessible and enjoyable workplace with British heritage at its heart.

Client Duchy of Cornwall
Sector Workplace
Size 670m²
Location Westminster, London

Following our work on the Duchy of Cornwall’s Lambeth estate, we were appointed to improve their London headquarters at 10 Buckingham Gate, opposite Buckingham Palace.

The heritage building currently does not offer step-free access, a lift which can accommodate a wheelchair or disability-compliant WCs, so our initial work was to ensure key workspaces were made fully accessible.

Our remit extended to improving workplace amenities and functionality to enable more collaborative working, and support the Duchy’s aim to host more visitors and meetings at their headquarters.

Careful consideration of interventions

Our proposals were developed following a forensic study to minimise the impact of any interventions to this delicate Grade II heritage asset.

10 Buckingham Gate was designed in the 1950’s by Sir James Pennethorne, specifically as the Duchy of Cornwall’s headquarters.

Following bomb damage in World War II, the building was subject to major repairs and extensions including the reconstruction of front rooms and the addition of a new floor.

Any interventions to improve accessibility and workspace functionality needed to be careful and respectful of the existing historic building fabric.

We undertook extensive research into historic and current uses across the building, from desk-based workspaces to common areas and archives, developing an approach that would meet modern needs whilst sensitively evolving its identity.

Adding accessibility

Introducing disabled access to a Grade II listed building on a prominent corner site – directly opposite Buckingham Palace – was a challenge.

Having explored several options to make the building accessible from the pavement – including consultation with Historic England and the client’s wheelchair-bound Director – we created a new, equitable second entrance incorporating an external platform lift.

This solution creates a clear and legible access arrangement whilst allowing the existing historic entrance sequence and reception area to remain intact and uncluttered as a welcoming space for staff and guests.

Internally, a new fully accessible lift and WC are carefully integrated to the existing building structure.

Evolving a collaborative and social workplace

Within the building’s triangular plan, we developed a variety of workspaces fanning outwards from the central staircase.

We established a series of formal and informal meeting rooms, social areas, dining spaces and a garden terrace to provide different ways to come together.

Following a detailed assessment of original heritage features including moulded plaster, decorative metalwork, timber joinery and mosaics – and the Duchy’s brand palette – we developed a richly coloured and textured interiors scheme to sensitively upgrade the workspaces.

The upgraded building will provide the Duchy of Cornwall with an inclusive and welcoming headquarters – balancing tradition and modernity – that will allow them to work more effectively and adaptably for the long term.

Credits

Architect Fathom Architects
Interior Designer Fathom Architects
Principal Designer Fathom Architects & Goddard Consulting
Planning Consultant Newmark
Project Manager Synergy
Structure Davies Maguire
Services E3 Consulting Engineers
Heritage Consultant Donald Insall Associates
Cost Consultant Synergy
Fire DAMA
Acoustics Clarke Saunders Acoustics

Project Information

Credits