Phoenix Brewery

This former Victorian warehouse has undergone a comprehensive refurbishment, retaining the original character facade whilst providing light and spacious new office accommodation.

A rather dull courtyard was filled in and an exciting double height reception space was created. The sculptural timber form disguises an ugly staircase which the budget did not allow the designer to replace.

Stiff + Trevillion designed a new reception space by roofing over an existing courtyard. This both gave the building a more imposing entrance, and provided an area that could be used for informal meetings. The architect went for a simple industrial aesthetic, with a glazed entrance. It has exposed the underside of the new metal deck roof, installing glazing around the perimeter at the junction with the existing buildings, to bring in light. The floor is of polished concrete.

This aesthetic was in danger of being compromised by the presence of what Andrew Trevillion, director at Stiff + Trevillion, described as a “clunky 1980s” staircase in the middle of the space. The timber enclosure is made up of four horizontal layers, each set at an angle to the one below with the horizontal surfaces generated between the layers used to accommodate uplighting and downlighting. The lowest layer is carved down to an appropriate height to accommodate the reception desk with, in this case, the horizontal element forming the surface of the desk.

The carcase is made of softwood, with a painted wooden board attached, to which are fixed American tulipwood battens. The edges of the battens have been cut at angles, with three or four variations which give the lively, irregular almost rippling effect that is so attractive.

Phoenix Brewery, London, United Kingdom
Program: new entrance for an office building
Architects: Stiff + Trevillion Architects
Completion: 2013