Dorian Crone - Islington

G I B S O N T H O R N L E Y

5 C H A R T E R H O U S E S Q UA R E

G I B S O N T H O R N L E YArchitect Gibson Thornley Architects Limited

[email protected]

No.4 The Hangar Perseverence Works25-27 Hackney Road London E2 7NX

+44 (0)20 7729 7064

Project managerIngleby Trice

Cost consultantExigere

Heritage consultantDorian Crone

Structural EngineersSymmetries

Services EngineersXC02

Dorian Crone

5 CHARTERHOUSE SQUARE | DESIGN & ACCESS STATEMENT 3

DESIGN & ACCESS STATEMENT

1.0 Introduction1.01 Scope of the Application1.02 The Application

2.0 The Site2.01 Borough-wide Context2.02 Historic Context2.03 Planning Context

3.0 The Existing Building3.01 No.5 Charterhouse Square3.02 Building Act of 17743.03 The Front Elevation3.04 The Rear Elevation3.05 Ground Floor Plan3.06 Ground Floor Front Room3.07 Ground Floor Middle Room3.08 Ground Floor Rear Room3.09 Ground Floor Entrance Lobby & Corridor3.10 Basement Floor Plan3.11 Basement Front Room3.12 Basement Middle Room

3.13 Basement Rear Room3.14 First Floor Plan3.15 First Floor Front Room3.16 First Floor Middle Room3.17 First Floor Rear Room3.18 Second Floor Plan3.19 Second Floor Front Room3.20 Second Floor Middle Room3.21 Second Floor Rear Room3.22 Third Floor Plan3.23 Third Floor Front Room3.24 Third Floor Rear Room3.25 Fourth Floor Plan3.26 Fourth Floor Front Room3.27 Fourth Floor Rear Room3.28 Stair

4.0 Plan Proposals4.01 Proposed Ground Floor Alterations4.02 Proposed Ground Floor Plan4.03 Proposed Ground Floor Extension4.04 Proposed Basement Floor Alterations

4.05 Proposed Basement Floor Plan4.06 Proposed WCs and Shower4.07 Proposed First Floor Alterations4.08 Proposed First Floor Plan4.09 Proposed Second Floor Alterations4.10 Proposed Second Floor Plan4.11 Proposed Third Floor Alterations4.12 Proposed Third Floor Plan4.13 Third Floor Interior Proposals4.14 Proposed Fourth Floor Alterations4.15 Proposed Fourth Floor Plan

5.0 Interior Proposals5.01 The Hierarchy of Spaces in a Typical Georgian House5.02 Typical Room Panelling5.03 Fireplaces5.04 Existing & Proposed Hierarchy of Spaces5.05 Existing & Proposed Wall Panelling

6.0 Elevational Proposals6.01 Existing & Proposed Front Elevation

6.02 Sash Window Proposal6.03 Existing & Proposed Rear Elevation

7.0 Access

8.0 Proposed Areas

9.0 Summary

10.0 Appendices10.1 Appendix A London Borough of Islington Pre- application Letter10.2 Appendix B Planning Application Drawings

4 5 CHARTERHOUSE SQUARE | DESIGN & ACCESS STATEMENT

1.0 INTRODUCTION1.1 SCOPE OF THE APPLICATION This report has been produced on behalf of the Charterhouse in support of the planning application for the redevelopment of No.5 Charterhouse Square, London, EC1M 6PX.

This report is solely for this purpose. The applicants do not accept any liability to any third party for the contents of this report.

All areas included have been measured from plans produced during concept design stages and are approximate and illustrative only. Further development for the design, measurement and constructions tolerance may affect these areas.

This report details the Client’s brief and vision, the primary constraints and opportunities for the site and the core design principles. It also illustrates the specific proposals for each element of the scheme.

This Design & Access Statement should be read in conjunction with all the drawings and documents that make up the Application. The proposals and analysis of the existing building have been largely informed by the Heritage Statement prepared by Dorian Crone that also forms part of this application.

1.2 THE APPLICATION

The application is made for the redevelopment of No.5 Charterhouse Square. The application follows a recent pre-application meetings with the London Borough of Islington. Islington’s pre-application advice is included within the appendix of this report.

The planning application proposes the restoration of the principle building and reinstatement of many of the heritage features. A ground level, rear extension is also proposed.

The existing building is largely for commercial office use with a residential apartment at the top level (fourth floor). The proposals do not alter the current land use. The building is currently vacant.

The building accommodation is organised over 6 stories (basement, ground and 4 upper levels).

The proposed building has its main frontage and entrance onto Charterhouse Square. A small yard exists to the rear and shares its eastern boundary with the external space to the property on Aldersgate Street.

Planning application site


Situated in the southern part of the London Borough of Islington, the site is located on the eastern side of Charterhouse Square. The site is within the Charterhouse Square Conservation Area.

The site is currently occupied by an existing office building with a residential apartment at its fourth floor. The building is Grade 2 listed.

The Charterhouse have recently acquired the building which is currently vacant. The proposals are for the refurbishment and extension of the existing building. There is no proposed change to the existing land-use.

The site is within the southern part of the London Borough of Islington Charterhouse Square Conservation Area within the London Borough of Islington

2.0 THE SITE2.1 BOROUGH-WIDE CONTEXT


Overview of the site looking east

The site is defined by Charterhouse Square to the west, No. 4 Charterhouse Square to the south, Florin Court to the north, and the rear boundary wall of No. 124 Aldersgate Street to the east.

The surrounding context is varied without a prevailing land-use or architectural character. However, the buildings are largely in commercial and residential use. The complex of the Charterhouse buildings are located along the

northern edge of the square and beyond. The northern part of the square was a former Carthusian monastery founded in 1371. The Charterhouse was dissolved as a monastery in 1537, and in 1545 was purchased by Sir Edward North and transformed into a mansion house. Following North’s death, the property was bought by Thomas Howard, 4th Duke of Norfolk, who was imprisoned there in 1570 after scheming to marry Mary, Queen of Scots. Later, Thomas Sutton bought the Charterhouse, and on his

2.0 THE SITE2.1 BOROUGH-WIDE CONTEXT

death in 1611, endowed a hospital (almshouse) and school on the site, which opened in 1614, supporting 80 pensioners (known as ‘brothers’). The school for boys coexisted with the home for pensioners until 1872 when Charterhouse School moved to Godalming in Surrey.

Following this, the Merchant Taylors’ School occupied the buildings until 1933. The square also lends its name to a preparatory school which

occupies a building overlooking the square.Florin Court immediately adjacent to the site comprises residential apartments. It is an Art Deco building built in 1936 by Guy Morgan and Partners who worked until 1927 for Edwin Lutyens, it features an impressive curved façade with projecting wings, a roof garden, setbacks on the ninth and tenth floors and a basement swimming pool.

The properties on the opposite side of the square

(to the west) comprise commercial buildings including the Malmaison hotel. The Barbican complex is located just to the east of the site on the eastern side of Aldersgate Street.


Overview of the site looking west Overview of the site looking north


The site sits within the Charterhouse Square Conservation Area and there are a number of listed buildings in the vicinity of the site. At the heart of the conservation area is Charterhouse Square, that is characterised by cobblestones and granite setts, iron bollards and lampposts. The Charterhouse are currently taking forward improvement works to the square and central gardens.

The Charterhouse Square Conservation Area was first designated in 1969 and extended in 1994 to

2.0 THE SITE2.2 HISTORIC CONTEXT

Listed buildings within the surrounding context

THE SITE

include properties formerly in the City of London. Bordering on Smithfield Meat Market, this area has the longest history of any part of the borough. Buildings and streets survive from medieval times, including The Charterhouse, together with fine buildings from later centuries, many originally related to Smithfield Market. The character of the Charterhouse Square Conservation Area also depends on its great variety of uses, and the juxtaposition of different activities, cheek-by-jowl, sets this area apart from more homogeneous

business or residential areas.

Together with the adjoining Clerkenwell Green (No.1) and Hat and Feathers (No.26) Conservation Areas, the area has a special character and appearance, and special policies for the Clerkenwell/Smithfield area exist in the Unitary Development Plan for its protection and enhancement. The Charterhouse Square Conservation Area contains a mixture of commercial, institutional, recreational and residential uses.

Grade II listed buildings

Grade I listed buildings


02 The Master’s Lodge01 The Chaterhouse 03 The Barbican 04 No.5 Charterhouse Square and Florin Court

There are a range of buildings and features within the conservation area that are Grade I and Grade II listed. Set out below are a number of important buildings that are listed in the vicinity of the application site:

01 The CharterhouseA Grade I listed complex of buildings on the northern side of the square. The listing description is as follows:

“The Charterhouse buildings reflect five principal building periods. The first is the building of the Carthusian Priory of the Salutation of the Virgin Mary, founded by Sir Walter Manny in 1371; the early buildings of the Priory are attributed to Henry Yevele. The second is the transformation of the monastic buildings into a Tudor mansion, following the suppression of the Priory in 1537; this happened in two stages, first and principally under the hand of Sir Edward North, from 1545, and secondly under that of Thomas Howard, fourth Duke of Norfolk, from 1565. The third is the adaptation of the mansion to the purposes of the Hospital of King James in Charterhouse, generally known as Sutton’s Hospital, founded in 1611 by Thomas Sutton, partly as a free school for forty boys and partly as

left, three-window range over gateway. Steps up to round-arched entrance; good doorcase with fluted Corinthian pilasters, frieze with moulding upswept in the centre, segmental pediment, fanlight with head keystone and carved spandrels, panelled door of original design. All windows flat-arched with frames almost flush with the wall and 9/9 or 6/6 sashes of original design; moulded brick storey bands to all floors; parapet; end stack to east. Cast-iron railings to area. The gatehouse, which stands a little forward of the house, has separate carriage- and foot-ways under four-centred arches, the carriage arch moulded with hoodmould with corbelled stops, the footway dating from the early C19; over this arch, a flat timber canopy supported on carved lion brackets with a cornice running the width of the gatehouse wings.”

03 BarbicanA Grade II post-war complex of building located to the east of the site. The listing description is as follows:

“Estate of flats, maisonettes and terraced houses, hostel, girls’ school, school of music and drama, and arts centre (with concert hall, theatre, studio theatre, cinemas, library, art gallery, conservatory,

restaurants and offices), with underground car parking, pedestrian walks and canal. Designed 1955-59, arts centre element redesigned 1964-8; built with modifications in 1962-82 to the designs of Chamberlin, Powell and Bon (subsequently Chamberlin, Powell and Bon (Barbican)) for the Corporation of the City of London; engineers, Ove Arup and Partners.

Poured in situ reinforced concrete with exposed surfaces largely pick hammered and with smaller areas bush hammered, exposing Pen Lee granite aggregate, with glazed engineering brick cladding to City of London School for Girls, the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, Wallside, the Postern and plinths to lakeside blocks and water features. Flat asphalted roofs, paved with concrete tiles in keeping with the wall finishes. The main blocks are supported by concrete columns forming an extension to the bored piles sunk up to 60ft deep. The tower blocks’ main structure is formed by a central lift shaft and stairwells with a peripheral framework of beams and split piers rising from exposed columns; the structure of the terrace blocks is based in concrete cross-walls supported on columns with floor slabs spanning between the cross-walls and the balcony edge beams. Podium

almshouses for eighty male pensioners; these works were carried out in 1613-14 and were to the design of Francis Carter; the almshouses continue to this day. The fourth stage consists of alterations to the existing buildings and the addition of Preachers’ Court and Pensioners’ Court by Edward Blore in 1826-40; Preachers’ Court was largely demolished after the Second World War; Pensioners’ Court is separately listed. The fifth stage was the reconstruction of the buildings following bomb damage of 1941 when all four sides of Master’s Court were burned out, the great staircase was destroyed and the Great Hall and Great Chamber were badly damaged.”

02 The Master’s LodgeA Grade I listed building located on the western side of Charterhouse Square. The listing description is as follows:

“Terraced house dated 1716 on rainwater heads at either end of the facade, with initials ‘SH’; incorporating parts of the C15 gatehouse to the Charterhouse. Plum brick with red brick dressings, the gatehouse of flint chequerwork faced with brick and ragstone dressings; tiled roof. Three storeys over basement, three-window range to

and the tower blocks have thick upswept concrete balustrades developed by Ove Arup and Partners in consultation with the architects in 1961.”

04 No. 4&5 Charterhouse SquareThe building that occupies the application site is Grade II listed along with its neighbouring building at No. 4. The listing description is as follows:

“Terraced houses. Early C18 with late C18 doorcases. Yellow brick with red brick dressings. Four storeys over basement, three-window range to no 4, three-and-a-half to no 5. Flat-arched entrances to inner bays with paired wooden doorcases of panelled pilasters, enriched entablature and garlands over pilasters; overlight, and panelled door of original design to no 4. All windows flat-arched with heads of gauged red brick and red brick dressings; frames set almost flush with the wall; moulded brick storey bands to ground, first and second floors, plain brick storey band to third floor; chamfered quoins of gauged brick to outer walls of the pair; no 5 has cast-iron balconies to first-floor windows and narrow outer windows to all floors, blank to first and third floors; parapet. Cast-iron railings to area with spike finials”


2.0 THE SITE2.3 PLANNING CONTEXT

An application to turn No. 5 Charterhouse Square into a single residential dwelling was submitted and consented in May 2008 (Application PO80588 & Listed Building Application PO80598). The consent was renewed in February 2011 (Application P110279 and Listed Building Application P110313).

This proposed a number of adaptations to the existing building. Some of which could be viewed as improvements to the existing heritage asset. For example, the existing ground floor partition between front and middle room is moved back to its original position.

However, there are also a number of elements that adjust what we believe are original features. A number of bathrooms, for example, are proposed in the rear closet wing and would likely require the demolition of original paneling. Notwithstanding, this was viewed as acceptable by the local planning authority in 2008 and again in 2011.

2008 Application site plan 2008 Application proposed sections


2008 Application proposed plans 2008 Application proposed plans


3.01 No.5 CHARTERHOUSE SQUARE3.0 THE EXISTING BUILDING

No.5 Charterhouse Square is a Grade II listed building, added to the statutory list in December 1950. The full list description can be found within the Heritage Report prepared by Dorian Crone.

The property is likely to have been constructed as a pair with No.4 between 1697 and 1701 by Robert Brabourne who was a considerable speculator in property.

An image of Charterhouse Square dating from 1730 shows that No. 4 & 5 were the tallest buildings on the square. The property enjoyed Georgian residents of good standing and in 1845 it became the vicarage house for St Sepulchre, Holborn.

Since its construction the property has undergone a number of modification, some more significant than others and these are described in detail within this statement and within the Heritage Report.

The property is currently used as an office with a residential apartment at the fourth floor. It has recently been purchased by the Charterhouse and

is vacant.

Whilst some of the original features remain intact, the general appearance and feel of the building is underwhelming. More modern elements such as radiators, light fittings, sockets and switches have been insensitively integrated into the building. As a result the original features, such as the panelling and cornicing, present themselves poorly.

The application proposes to create a contemporary office, retaining the apartment at fourth floor, by sensitively restoring the existing building and modestly extending the building at the rear.

By researching and analysing how the building has changed during its lifetime and by reviewing other Georgian properties that are similar in age and character it is clear how the hierarchy and spatial integrity of the existing building has been compromised over time.

Our proposals attempt, where possible, to reinstate the intention of the original property.

Charterhouse Square looking east depicted in 1730No.5 Charterhouse Square in 1934 Plan of second floor in 1845


3.02 BUILDING ACT OF 1774

FIRST CLASS RATING SECOND CLASS RATING THIRD CLASS RATING FOURTH CLASS RATING NO.5 CHARTERHOUSE SQUARE

Although the Building Act of 1774 was introduced after No. 5 Charterhouse Square was originally constructed, the ratings within the Act provide a useful categorisation of buildings from that era.

No. 5 Charterhouse Square has many similarities with buildings classified as ‘first rate’, since it is a property of more than 900 ft2 in area. It also has four full stories above basement (even excluding the fourth floor, which is a later addition).

The property also has three full windows across the elevation.

However, the exterior is probably less refined in its detailing and finishes than a typical ‘first rate’ property. It is likely, therefore, that No.5 Charterhouse would have been regarded as a ‘second rate’ property.

The following section explores the hierarchy of the typical Georgian home which has informed our strategy for internal refurbishment.


3.0 THE EXISTING BUILDING3.03 THE FRONT ELEVATIONThe building at No.5 Charterhouse Square is paired with the property at No.4. The buildings share the same architectural elements and likely to have been built as a pair of properties.

No.4 comprises three full sash windows at each storey; whilst No.5 comprises three sashes and a narrower sash at each storey height. No.5 also has three dormer windows at roof level, whilst No.4 has a simple parapet arrangement. The sash windows have been replaced in both properties and no longer match. Metal work balustrades have been added to the first floor window openings to No.5, probably after 1845 and not a feature that is associated with a house of this period. The design of the front doors to both properties has also been altered over time and, again, no longer match.

We understand that the entire front facade was re-built in the 1950’s to match the original designs. The elevation comprises a yellow stock brick with red brick at the head and jambs of window openings. Red brick bands also run horizontally at each storey height. The timber sash windows sit entirely within the brick apertures and brought almost flush with the brick elevations. The outside sash linings are therefore exposed, typical of a property of this period. However, the sashes have been renewed with thinner sash bars than the original windows would have had.

A modest light-well runs almost the width of the property, whilst affording access to the ground level front door. Metal railings at the back of pavement form a balustrade to the light-well. The basement level of the building is rendered to the head of the basement sash windows. The steps to the front door has been renewed

The mansard roof and three hipped dormers above parapet date from the 1980s

No. 5 from Charterhouse Square with neighbouring buildings Front elevation of No. 5 Charterhouse Square


Front elevation of No. 5 Charterhouse Square in context

No. 5 Charterhouse Square comprises a basement and ground floor with four upper levels, the fourth floor occupying the roof space. No.5 shares the same shoulder height with its immediate neighbour, No.4.

The roof behind the parapet has been converted in the 1980’s to provide habitable space at the fourth floor.

Florin Court, to the north, is significantly taller than No.5 at ground plus 9 stories.


Rear elevation

Lower portion of the rear elevationExisting basement lightwell

Rear courtyard Metal escape stair to rear

The rear elevation has been altered over time and whilst there are a number of original features, much of the rear has been adapted and added to. The projecting bay to the south is a later 19th century extension at basement, ground and first floor level. The small casement to the WC at ground level and rear access door are much later additions. Similarly the door into the light-well at basement level are modern and in relativity poor condition. A pair of French doors leading from the closet wind to the rear yard is also of a modern design with a strange arrangement of a fanlight over the door set.

A concrete lintel exists over the ground floor window to the middle room. This suggests that this part of the elevation has also been re-built at some point. The parapet at the top of the building has been built up in yellow stock bricks. Much of the sash windows in the rear elevation do not appear to be original and have slimmer glazing bars than the original sashes were likely to have. The roof of the closet wing has been altered as part of the roof alterations in the 1980s and now provides an accessible roof terrace to the rear at high level. A metal spiral stair case has been installed at the rear a provides a secondary means of escape to the building.

3.0 THE EXISTING BUILDING3.04 THE REAR ELEVATION


The existing rear elevation comprises a closet wing to the north that projects from the main rear elevation up to third floor level. The roof of the closet wing has been adapted to provided the fourth floor with a roof terrace.

A secondary projecting bay, to the south, exists at the half landing from ground to first floor and from first to second floor.

A light-well exists at the rear to the basement level.


3.05 GROUND FLOOR PLAN 1:100

Key01 Entrance to lower ground from street level02 Main entrance to ground floor 03 Entrance hall04 Ground floor front room05 Middle room06 Stair to first floor07 Stair to lower ground08 WC09 Rear closet wing10 External yard

0201

04 03

08

05 06

07

09

10

The basic plan form of the property is typical of an early Georgian domestic building. A typical floor has two principle rooms at the front and rear of the building with a rear closet wing contains a single, smaller room. An internal dog-leg stair exists on the southern party wall.

The front entrance door affords access from Charterhouse Square to the entrance lobby. A front light-well gives access to the basement.

The ground floor has been adapted from the original plan form. The original partition between the front and middle room has been re-positioned, resulting in a small front room and deeper middle room.

A small WC exists in the southern projecting room to the rear. A light-well within the rear yard provides daylight to the basement level. A timber shed exists in the rear yard.

3.0 THE EXISTING BUILDING


Key plan

The partition between the ground floor front room and the middle room has been repositioned resulting in a small front room that overlooks the square. The original timber linings have been removed from the front room and replaced with much later brown panelling. We understand that the panelling was added after 1919 when the original panelling was sold. This results in a uncomfortable relationship between the fireplace and partition.

Panelling to ground floor front room Panelling to ground floor front room

3.06 GROUND FLOOR FRONT ROOM


3.07 GROUND FLOOR MIDDLE ROOM

Key plan Ground floor middle room looking towards closet wingPanelling to ground floor middle room

The middle room has been extended in plan. The cornice still indicates where the original partition would have been. The room contains much of the original panelling, which is typical of late 17th century panelling. There are modern fixtures and fittings such as radiators, power and light sockets that have been insensitively installed and located.

The sash window to the rear is a later addition. The fire place and surround are not original. The cast iron fire place is likely to date from the early 19th century.

3.0 THE EXISTING BUILDING

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Dorian Crone - Islington