40 Beak Street
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LocationLondon
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ClientPrivate
Introduction
This project involved the refurbishment and significant structural intervention of an iconic Soho building to create flexible commercial workshop and retail space across four floors.
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Background
The building was acquired part-way through construction, requiring extensive validation, investigation and modification of partially installed systems. The refurbished accommodation was designed to support flexible workshop use, including activities involving solvent-based paints, alongside retail space at ground floor level, which was later let to a restaurant.
Challenges
Key challenges included achieving compliance with HSE guidance for solvent-based paint use, requiring a substantial increase in ventilation rates to 10 air changes per hour. This necessitated major remodelling of the building core to introduce an additional riser, alongside careful management of air velocities to avoid occupant discomfort. The requirement for 1,000 lux lighting levels across all floors also placed pressure on the existing electrical supply capacity. Coordination of restaurant kitchen extract routes through the building under a Licence to Alter added further complexity.
Solutions
A fully modelled and tested ventilation strategy was developed using CFD analysis and physical mock-ups to ensure high air change rates were achieved without draughts. Heating, cooling and lighting systems were upgraded and carefully coordinated to remain within the limits of the existing electrical infrastructure. Close collaboration with the landlord and stakeholders enabled the successful routing of kitchen extract systems, delivering a compliant, flexible and future-ready commercial building.
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