number 26
delivery
design, planning, technical
location
east croydon
completed
2019
contractor
jjr rhatigan
client
hsbc pension fund
design brief
Located in the heart of Croydon’s vibrant Ruskin Square, No26 is a bold reimagining of Carolyn House —a 1960s office block transformed into a dynamic, sustainable high-rise residential development.
The project involved the adaptive reuse and vertical extension of the original structure, resulting in a confident and contemporary landmark within Croydon’s evolving skyline.
architecture
A refined material palette — brick, glass, and metallic detailing — accentuates the building’s vertical expression while lending it a robust urban character.
No26 showcases the practice members’ expertise across design, planning, technical delivery, and interior design — and the potential of sustainable retrofit and densification, combining mid-century reuse with digitally enabled, future-facing design.
At ground level, a reimagined entrance and public realm strategy contribute to the ongoing regeneration of Ruskin Square.
The Class E space now houses some national and international brands.
The building also features a fully fire-tested façade system and was delivered to exacting construction standards.
awards
Carolyn House / No. 26 has had great success being shortlisted for a number of awards in London and Ireland, most notably taking home the International Building Project of the Year at the 2019 Irish Building & Design Awards.
London Construction Awards 2019
• Fire Safety Solution of the Year Award – Finalist
• BIM & Digital Construction Award – Finalist
The industry recognition through these awards is testament to the efforts delivering the project through BIM from start to finish and creating a robust digital record of fire safety information.
No26 is an exemplar of digital construction. It incorporates a digitally twinned, federated model with comprehensive COBie data capture — earning a runner-up award at the BCI Awards for Digital Transformation Initiative of the Year: Golden Thread Implementation Through Digital Construction.
interior design
A striking adaptive reuse of a 1960s office block, No 26 stands as a testament to our holistic approach. Beyond architecture, our interior work reimagined the building’s innards -opening up layouts, enhancing natural light, and modernising the spatial experience to sync with the revitalised exterior form.
The interiors concept, details and technical details were designed and implemented by members of the practice and an inspired interior designer called Jennifer Hamilton who we invited to work with us for the project.
The overall concept was Liam's - he deliberately wanted to challenge the convention of 'sterile reception areas and meaningless space between lift lobbies and front doors' and those 'sallow waiting areas we see in poorer designs'. His aim was to create a design that was warm and inviting, a space you could see (from the street) on a 'cold January night.
All 183 apartments, the communal areas including circulation and the shared living spaces, reception and roof-top amenities were designed by the team - who also detailed all of the fabrication drawings and technical information, and oversaw the installation and fit-out of all areas.
get in touch
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