The Sammy Ofer Centre

Members of the We Design For… team provided MEP and Sustainability services up to RIBA Stage 3 of this landmark refurbishment project. The project entailed extensive renovation and partial conversion of existing iconic, Grade 2 listed, Old Marylebone Town Hall into a major new facility for the London Business School.

Works began in February 2014 and the project was completed in Autumn 2017. The project has since been shortlisted for New London Architecture and AJ100 (Architects’ Journal) Awards.

The original Marylebone Town Hall building was built between 1914 and 1920 and completed 19 years before the opening of the Library Annexe that sits directly beside it on the opposite side of a dividing passageway. Both buildings were completed by Edwardian architect Edwin Cooper and yet are very different in construction and layout.

In order to maintain the clear ‘gap’ between the two buildings it was determined that the new glass and steel link should be supported off the existing structure. Initial analysis determined that although the period buildings shared a classical appearance they are structurally misaligned. To resolve this a simple diagrid connecting each pier was established to inform the structural layout, which has resulted in an extremely efficient, yet bold design and an impressive controlled environment suitable for use as both circulation space and for events.

A link between the two buildings was also created in terms of the mechanical and electrical design. The complete refurbishment of the building services was respectful of both the building’s history and the architectural vision.