Due to extensive archaeological features and a high water table, the site required a carefully designed and managed piled foundation solution. To deliver this, a complex de-watering regime was developed and implemented during the basement excavation to avoid the ground water becoming contaminated by the excavation of the made ground.

Our electrical design brings together cutting-edge technology and functionality. A high-tech LED lighting scheme runs throughout the entire building, blending functional, decorative, and emergency lighting. These systems are controlled via DALI protocols and local presence detection, ensuring energy efficiency without compromising user experience. There is full access control coverage throughout the premises with CCTV both internally and externally adding additional security.

Heating and hot water are primarily delivered by two roof-mounted Air Source Heat Pumps (ASHPs), which feed into dedicated buffer vessels. The low-carbon solution handles the majority of the building’s thermal load and when required gas fired boilers and water heaters can supplement the heating and hot water systems. Each bedroom is equipped with individual humidity fans and heating controls, allowing tenants to tailor their environments personally. Communal areas benefit from a roof-mounted Air Handling Unit (AHU) supported by DX refrigerant condensers, providing both heating and cooling.

A focus on sustainability

Sustainability is a core principle for the regeneration of the whole Liberties area, which aims to make the neighbourhood a greener place for all. As a result, the Liberties House scheme embedded sustainability principles from the outset to ensure low impact living for residents.

Tasked with unlocking the potential of the existing building, our structures specialists undertook deep analysis of the existing frame, enabling the vast majority to be retained. Our design solution for the internal spaces focused on maximising available space for clear, column-free office floors, whilst also increasing available amenity space and accommodating the four new roof terraces. At the top floor level extension, the exposed concrete and steel structure punctuates the space. The fully exposed precast concrete soffits are clean and uncluttered, facilitated by a new underfloor air ventilation system and perimeter trench heating and cooling solution. This can provide free cooling for up to 85% of the year and provides a simple and adaptable low embodied carbon solution for the additional floor.

Our all-electric building services strategy features a Hybrid VRF heating and cooling system with low GWP R32 refrigerant connected to branch controllers that provide flexible, water based on floor heating and cooling circuits feeding fan coil units. Through the use of carefully designed raft ceilings, the office spaces will feature a striking balance of semi-exposed services and structure. In a further boost to efficiency, building controls will utilise Synapsis and Demand Logic platforms to map energy consumption and quickly identify equipment faults or inefficiencies. This real-time analysis ensures equipment operates as designed throughout its entire lifecycle, helping to close the performance gap between design and reality.

Unlocking design potential

Climate resilience was high on the agenda, and inspired by this goal, our team provided multidisciplinary support for the scheme. Working alongside C+W O’Brien Architects, this saw our civil engineering specialists incorporate Sustainable Drainage Systems, including the provisions of green roofing, permeable paving, filter drains, green spaces and tree planting, throughout our design solution. Alongside this, storm water runoff is restricted to the greenfield equivalent rate, with attenuation storage provided to temporarily hold excess rainfall during large storms.

With an eye on minimising carbon-intensive waste, our structural design consists of multiple recase elements. This included a concrete frame of hollow core floor slabs, concrete cross walls above first floor level and an in-situ reinforced concrete frame between basement level and first floor level. At ground floor level, the 1,608 sq ft café, reception and shared amenity spaces required an open, spacious and column-free structural solution. As a result, our design included precast cross walls above first floor level designed as deep beams which minimised the need for reinforced concrete transfer beams within the structure, helping to maintain the open-plan layout below.

Due to extensive archaeological features and a high water table, the site required a carefully designed and managed piled foundation solution. To deliver this, a complex de-watering regime was developed and implemented during the basement excavation to avoid the ground water becoming contaminated by the excavation of the made ground.

Our electrical design brings together cutting-edge technology and functionality. A high-tech LED lighting scheme runs throughout the entire building, blending functional, decorative, and emergency lighting. These systems are controlled via DALI protocols and local presence detection, ensuring energy efficiency without compromising user experience. There is full access control coverage throughout the premises with CCTV both internally and externally adding additional security.

Heating and hot water are primarily delivered by two roof-mounted Air Source Heat Pumps (ASHPs), which feed into dedicated buffer vessels. The low-carbon solution handles the majority of the building’s thermal load and when required gas fired boilers and water heaters can supplement the heating and hot water systems. Each bedroom is equipped with individual humidity fans and heating controls, allowing tenants to tailor their environments personally. Communal areas benefit from a roof-mounted Air Handling Unit (AHU) supported by DX refrigerant condensers, providing both heating and cooling.

Brought to life by TateHindle’s architectural design, FOLIO will deliver a variety of exceptional modern work and amenity spaces across eight storeys and a basement level. Almost all the existing structure is retained, while a rooftop extension will be added. Externally, a new Wilson Street façade sits alongside the existing Portland Stone frontage.

Situated at a key location between Barbican, the City and Shoreditch, FOLIO offers 52,500 sq ft office space across seven flexible floorplates, with extensive views across Finsbury Square available at each level. Tenants will also benefit from access to a club room and communal rooftop terrace. At street level, building users will access FOLIO through a striking ground floor entrance lobby which is also home to a library lounge space. In addition, extensive bike storage, changing and shower facilities are incorporated within the basement level.

Tasked with unlocking the potential of the existing building, our structures specialists undertook deep analysis of the existing frame, enabling the vast majority to be retained. Our design solution for the internal spaces focused on maximising available space for clear, column-free office floors, whilst also increasing available amenity space and accommodating the four new roof terraces. At the top floor level extension, the exposed concrete and steel structure punctuates the space. The fully exposed precast concrete soffits are clean and uncluttered, facilitated by a new underfloor air ventilation system and perimeter trench heating and cooling solution. This can provide free cooling for up to 85% of the year and provides a simple and adaptable low embodied carbon solution for the additional floor.

Our all-electric building services strategy features a Hybrid VRF heating and cooling system with low GWP R32 refrigerant connected to branch controllers that provide flexible, water based on floor heating and cooling circuits feeding fan coil units. Through the use of carefully designed raft ceilings, the office spaces will feature a striking balance of semi-exposed services and structure. In a further boost to efficiency, building controls will utilise Synapsis and Demand Logic platforms to map energy consumption and quickly identify equipment faults or inefficiencies. This real-time analysis ensures equipment operates as designed throughout its entire lifecycle, helping to close the performance gap between design and reality.

FOLIO is expected to reach completion in summer 2027.