Central House

The refurbishment and extension of the former Cass School of Art and Architecture provides over 150,000 square feet of office space. Located opposite the Whitechapel Gallery, it takes inspiration from Rachel Whiteread’s Fourth Plinth, adding to the existing six storey building with an equal volume above. The new build element mimics the horizontal banding and the rhythm of the panels of the 1960s concrete building but contrasts this with a steel structure and dark metal palette. Tension between old and new is highlighted by a setback floor marked out by a playful piece of public art visible from the street to create a visual break. This space forms one of several external spaces, including a large planted terrace at roof level and shared multi-use amenity space for the building users.