º£½ÇÊÓƵ

Bart’s Square – Buildings

London, UK

Delivering technical certainty and design quality across a complex, multi-phase urban development, º£½ÇÊÓƵ played a central role in shaping the buildings at Barts Square. 

Set within the City of London, the scheme brings together residential, commercial and retail uses across three phases, combining new build elements with the careful retention and restoration of historic facades. Working alongside Sheppard Robson, our team provided facade engineering leadership across all phases, while collaborating with our inclusive environments specialists to ensure the development is accessible, adaptable and future-ready. 

From early design through to completion, we worked across Phases 1, 2 and 3, including One Bartholomew Close and 90 Bartholomew Close in Phase 2. Our role extended beyond technical delivery. We supported the client and wider design team in navigating complexity, aligning performance with architectural intent and maintaining continuity through significant procurement and construction challenges.  

The result is a collection of buildings that balance heritage and modernity, creating a cohesive identity while responding to a diverse range of uses and occupant needs. 

Challenge

The delivery of Barts Square presented a series of interrelated challenges, driven by the site’s urban constraints, architectural ambition and phased delivery strategy. Our experts had previously played a key role in enabling the site.

Developing the buildings – both new build and refurbishment projects – brought the site to life. At a facade level, the development required the coordination of multiple cladding systems, materials and detailing conditions across a relatively compact site. This included a combination of retained historic facades and new-build envelope systems, each with distinct structural, thermal and aesthetic requirements. The retained facades, in particular, introduced complexity in terms of condition assessment, repair strategies and the integration of new structure behind them.  

This complexity was compounded by the need to reconcile movement between the primary structure and the facade systems. While the structure is subject to deflection and movement, facades behave differently, requiring careful coordination to ensure performance and durability over time.  

Architecturally, the design demanded a high level of visual refinement, including heritage-style windows and intricate detailing. Achieving this while meeting modern performance standards for thermal efficiency, acoustics and maintenance introduced further technical challenges, particularly where traditional forms were being reinterpreted through contemporary construction techniques.  

Delivery risk was another defining factor. The project experienced contractor changes during construction, including the insolvency of key parties. This created discontinuities in design information and installation progress, requiring rapid reassessment and coordination to maintain programme and quality.  

The project also spanned a period of significant regulatory change following the Grenfell Tower fire. This introduced additional scrutiny around facade materials and construction, with the client requiring clarity on both specified and installed systems.  

Alongside the facade challenges, Phase 1 introduced a distinct set of requirements in relation to inclusive design. The residential buildings were required to meet Lifetime Homes standards, with 10% of units designed as fully wheelchair‑accessible homes. This required a detailed and collaborative approach with the architectural team to establish a consistent, site‑wide strategy for circulation and residential unit typologies that meet the relevant standards and London Plan policy. 

Balancing these considerations across multiple phases, while maintaining consistency in quality and experience, was central to the project’s complexity.

Solution

º£½ÇÊÓƵ’s approach was grounded in early-stage technical leadership, detailed analysis and close collaboration with the client and design team. 

For the facades, we led the development of performance specifications and technical detailing across all principal systems. This included structural analysis, building physics modelling and the integration of maintenance strategies, ensuring that each facade element met the project’s requirements for durability, efficiency and usability.  

A key aspect of our approach was the extensive research and validation of materials and systems during the design phase. By testing the feasibility of different options and aligning them with performance criteria, we were able to reduce reliance on project-specific testing later in the programme. This provided greater certainty for procurement and delivery, despite the wide variation in facade types and configurations. 

On Phase 2, at One Bartholomew Close, we supported the development of an advanced closed cavity facade system. This built on the principles of a twin skin facade while introducing a sealed and pressurised cavity, delivering high levels of thermal and acoustic performance. The system also integrated solar control within the cavity, improving occupant comfort while reducing operational energy demands.  

Across the retained facades, we undertook detailed condition surveys and developed repair strategies to enable their safe integration with new structures. These facades were stabilised and laterally restrained by the new build elements, requiring careful coordination with structural engineers and contractors to manage movement and load transfer.  

In Phase 3, lessons learned from earlier phases informed a shift towards greater prefabrication. The introduction of ultra-high performance concrete panels enabled higher quality control, reduced on-site labour and accelerated installation. We supported the client and insurer in validating this approach, including factory inspections to demonstrate consistent manufacturing quality. 

Throughout construction, our role evolved to include detailed review of contractor proposals and installations, working closely with the executive architect to ensure that the design intent was maintained. Where contractor changes created gaps in delivery, we provided continuity, helping new teams to understand and implement the facade strategy.  

In parallel, our inclusive environments specialists supported the development of the residential phases, particularly in Phase 1. We reviewed unit layouts, communal areas and circulation routes to ensure compliance with building regulations, Lifetime Homes standards and the Wheelchair Housing Design Guide. 

This included advising step-free access throughout, ensuring appropriate door widths and manoeuvring space, and embedding features that enable homes to be adapted over time. At least 10% of residential units were designed as wheelchair‑user homes, ensuring full accessibility for wheelchair users and disabled residents. 

Importantly, inclusive design was not treated as just a compliance exercise. We worked to integrate accessibility into the overall design, from entrance thresholds and window operation to the usability of communal facilities, ensuring that the development works for a wide range of users. 

Value

º£½ÇÊÓƵ’s contribution to Barts Square lies in the clarity, consistency and resilience we brought to a complex project. By investing in early-stage research and validation, we de-risked the facade design and provided the client with confidence in procurement and cost planning. This proactive approach enabled smoother delivery, even in the face of significant disruption. 

Our ability to bridge gaps during construction, particularly following contractor changes, ensured continuity and protected the quality of the finished buildings. We acted as a consistent technical authority, aligning new teams with the original design intent and resolving issues as they emerged.  

We also provided critical support in response to evolving regulatory requirements, helping the client to understand and evidence the materials and systems used across the development. This transparency was vital in maintaining stakeholder confidence during a period of heightened scrutiny. 

Through close collaboration with the architect and wider team, we enabled the delivery of facades that achieve both high performance and strong architectural expression. The integration of advanced systems, prefabrication strategies and refined detailing has created buildings that are efficient, robust and visually distinctive. 

At the same time, our inclusive design expertise ensured that these buildings are welcoming and adaptable, supporting residents and users across a range of needs and life stages. Together, this reflects a holistic approach to building design, where performance, experience and long-term value are considered as one.