number 26

Located in the heart of Croydon’s vibrant Ruskin Square, No. 26 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.

No. 26 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 and the title of International Building Project of the Year at the 2019 Irish Building & Design Awards. The building also features a fully fire-tested façade system and was delivered to exacting construction standards.

A refined material palette—brick, glass, and metallic detailing—accentuates the building’s vertical expression while lending it a robust urban character. Internally, layouts were reconfigured to maximise space, daylight, and long views across South London. 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. 

No. 26 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.