{"id":312729,"date":"2025-12-12T21:06:14","date_gmt":"2025-12-12T21:06:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/312729\/"},"modified":"2025-12-12T21:06:14","modified_gmt":"2025-12-12T21:06:14","slug":"john-robertson-architects-submits-plans-to-overhaul-no-1-poultry","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/312729\/","title":{"rendered":"John Robertson Architects submits plans to overhaul No 1 Poultry"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>The practice has handed in an application to the City of London Corporation to improve the accessibility and energy efficiency of the 28-year-old Grade II*-listed office building.<\/p>\n<p>Korean giant IGIS Asset Management appointed West London outfit Fore Partnership earlier this year to run the refurbishment, which is being <a href=\"https:\/\/www.architectsjournal.co.uk\/news\/new-disruptor-developer-to-oversee-retrofit-of-no-1-poultry\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">carried out in partnership with former Morris+Company architect Ben Cross<\/a>. John Robertson Architects was commissioned as lead architect and has submitted the applications for planning and listed building consent.<\/p>\n<p>The project team said its proposals \u2018set out a model for intelligent decarbonisation\u2019 and warned that No 1 Poultry could become a \u2018stranded asset\u2019 without \u2018significant\u2019 intervention. It added that the building had become \u2018increasingly misaligned with contemporary workplace expectations\u2019.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Plans include all-electric energy systems supported by heat pumps, insulation improvements and new technology to \u2018improve performance without intrusive structural intervention\u2019.<\/p>\n<p>The vision includes reinstating free public access to the building\u2019s Apex Garden roof terrace with \u2018durable materials, enhanced biodiversity and layered landscaping\u2019.<\/p>\n<p>\u2018The building is misaligned with contemporary workplace expectations\u2019<\/p>\n<p>Meanwhile, the Prow entrance at Bank junction will be reopened to the public for the first time in more than 25 years with a \u2018procession from street to roof\u2019 restoring a \u2018ceremonial sequence shaped by Stirling\u2019s Scala Regia\u2019.<\/p>\n<p>The project team added: \u2018These changes address long-standing accessibility challenges and reinforce the building\u2019s civic contribution, supporting the City of London\u2019s Destination City objectives.\u2019<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Improved amenities, overhauled thermal performance and enhanced arrival spaces are also proposed, along with a re-engineered interior that supports \u2018modern patterns of work and wellbeing\u2019.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Flexible floorplates, improved daylighting and a network of more than 200 sensors are designed to support adaptable, low-carbon operation, while \u2018retaining the rigour of the original plan\u2019.<\/p>\n<p>Completed in 1997, No 1 Poultry was the final project by the late James Stirling with James Stirling Michael Wilford and Associates.<\/p>\n<p>The revamp is aiming for EPC A and BREEAM Outstanding ratings, as well as net zero operation.<\/p>\n<p>Cross said: \u2018To preserve the past, we must design for the future.<\/p>\n<p>\u2018This refurbishment forms part of a wider conversation about how our cities and historic buildings must adapt to new environmental expectations and patterns of work. It follows extensive consultation with our neighbours, the guardians of its architectural legacy and policy makers.<\/p>\n<p>\u2018To preserve the past, we must design for the future\u2019<\/p>\n<p>\u2018No 1 Poultry can continue to honour Stirling and Wilford\u2019s intent while significantly reducing energy use and creating a more inclusive, future-ready workplace. It shows how London can preserve what it values while preparing for a more sustainable future.\u2019<\/p>\n<p>Fore founder Basil Demeroutis added: \u2018No 1 Poultry is an extraordinary building, rich in character but under-occupied and under-performing. Our ambition is to make it a frontrunner in one of the world\u2019s most competitive office markets, securing long-term occupation while reinvesting in its public and carbon future.\u2019<\/p>\n<p>Historic England has already backed the scheme for what it called \u2018one of the most celebrated examples of Postmodern architecture in the country\u2019. The organisation\u2019s regional director, Tom Foxall, said: \u2018We support these proposals to reinvigorate and retrofit this landmark building so that it can continue to contribute positively to the local area and economy.<\/p>\n<p>\u2018We\u2019re pleased to have contributed to a thorough, collaborative consultation process and to have helped shape a sustainable long-term future for this Grade II*-listed building.\u2019<\/p>\n<p><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-787795\" class=\"size-large wp-image-787795\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/No.1_Poultry_15-c-Rob-Evans-at-WithLove.Studio-1024x683.webp.webp\" alt=\"\" width=\"620\" height=\"414\"  \/><\/p>\n<p id=\"caption-attachment-787795\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">No 1 Poultry<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The practice has handed in an application to the City of London Corporation to improve the accessibility and&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":312730,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[31],"tags":[6225,6485,6486,1120,96,56,54,55],"class_list":{"0":"post-312729","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-arts-and-design","8":"tag-arts","9":"tag-arts-and-design","10":"tag-artsanddesign","11":"tag-design","12":"tag-entertainment","13":"tag-uk","14":"tag-united-kingdom","15":"tag-unitedkingdom"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/312729","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=312729"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/312729\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/312730"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=312729"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=312729"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=312729"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}