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Overview
110 High Holborn is a commercial office building located in one of central London’s busiest business districts. As with many ageing office buildings constructed in earlier development cycles, the façade systems had begun to deteriorate and no longer delivered the performance expected from a modern commercial building.
The property required extensive façade remediation and aesthetic improvement to restore building performance and improve its external appearance. At the same time, the refurbishment needed to enhance the entrance experience while ensuring the building remained fully operational for tenants.
Structura was appointed to carry out a comprehensive façade refurbishment that included the installation of a new Schüco curtain wall system, replacement glazing works, façade remediation, and the construction of a new atrium entrance.
The project required careful planning and precise execution because all works were completed while the building remained fully occupied. This case study highlights how targeted façade engineering and refurbishment can significantly extend the life of an existing commercial building while improving its performance, appearance, and tenant experience.
Details
Client:
UBS CLOVA
Location:
Camden, London
Principle Contractor:
Structura UK Ltd
Consultant:
Trident Building Consultancy
Project Metrics
While façade refurbishment projects vary depending on building size and scope, key parameters for the 110 High Holborn project included:
Project Type
Commercial façade refurbishment
Scope of Works
- Installation of Schüco curtain wall system
- Re-glazing of failed rainscreen façade panels
- Construction of new atrium entrance
- Installation of revolving door system
- Aluminium soffit installation over main road frontage
Operational Conditions
- Building remained fully occupied during construction
Performance Outcomes
- Leak-free façade
- Reduced solar gain
- Improved architectural appearance
The Challenge
Older commercial office buildings often experience façade performance issues over time. Environmental exposure, ageing materials, and evolving building standards can lead to a range of problems affecting both aesthetics and functionality. For 110 High Holborn, the refurbishment project needed to address several key challenges.
Ageing Building Envelope
The façade of the building had begun to show signs of deterioration, particularly within the glazing and rainscreen systems. Over time, weather exposure and material fatigue had led to failures in sections of the glazing system. These failures created risks including water ingress through the façade, reduced thermal performance, increased solar gain inside the building, and visible deterioration affecting the building’s external appearance. Without remediation, these issues would continue to worsen and negatively impact both tenant comfort and the long-term durability of the building envelope.
Failed Glass in the Rainscreen System
One of the key issues identified during the project assessment was failure within parts of the glazed rainscreen façade system. Glass failure can occur for several reasons, including structural stress, installation defects, or long-term environmental exposure. When glazing systems begin to fail, they compromise both façade performance and safety. The refurbishment therefore required the removal and replacement of sections of glazing to restore façade integrity.
Improving the Building Entrance
In addition to façade remediation, the project aimed to modernise the main entrance to the building. The existing entrance did not provide the level of visual presence or functionality expected from a commercial office building in a prominent London location. The refurbishment therefore included the creation of a new atrium entrance and revolving door system to enhance the building’s arrival experience for tenants and visitors.
Working Within an Occupied Building
One of the most complex aspects of the project was the requirement to complete all works while the building remained fully occupied. This meant that construction activities had to be carefully planned and executed to minimise disruption to occupants, maintain safe access, and ensure that daily business operations could continue throughout the refurbishment process. Working in an active building environment required detailed coordination between installation teams, building management, and tenants.
Structura’s Solution
Structura delivered a comprehensive façade refurbishment strategy designed to address the building’s performance issues while improving its architectural appearance and tenant experience. The solution involved multiple elements, including curtain wall installation, glazing replacement, entrance improvements, and façade upgrades.
Installation of a Schüco Curtain Wall System
A central component of the refurbishment was the installation of a new Schüco curtain wall system. Schüco curtain wall systems are widely used in commercial buildings due to their high performance, durability, and design flexibility. The system allows large glazed areas to be integrated within a lightweight structural framework while maintaining excellent weather resistance and thermal performance.
The new curtain wall installation at 110 High Holborn provided several benefits including improved façade weatherproofing, enhanced structural reliability, better thermal performance, and a more contemporary external appearance. The new curtain wall system helped transform the building façade while addressing the performance issues that had developed in the original installation.
Re-glazing of Failed Rainscreen Elements
To address the issues with failed glazing panels, Structura carried out targeted re-glazing works across the rainscreen façade system. This involved carefully removing defective glazing elements and replacing them with new glass panels that met modern performance standards.
The re-glazing process restored the structural integrity of the façade while ensuring improved resistance to weather exposure. By replacing damaged glazing components, the project eliminated the risk of continued water ingress and restored the overall reliability of the building envelope.
Construction of a New Atrium Entrance
As part of the refurbishment, Structura designed and installed a new atrium entrance for the building. The new entrance creates a more welcoming arrival point and improves the building’s visual presence on High Holborn. Atrium entrances can significantly enhance the architectural impact of a commercial property while improving circulation and accessibility.
The project also included the installation of a new revolving door system. Revolving doors are commonly used in commercial buildings because they improve energy efficiency by reducing uncontrolled air exchange between the interior and exterior. This upgrade therefore contributed both aesthetic and performance benefits.
Aluminium Soffit Installation Over the Main Road
Another component of the project involved installing a new aluminium soffit above the main road frontage of the building. The soffit element helps define the entrance zone while improving the architectural finish of the façade.
Aluminium was selected for its durability, low maintenance requirements, and ability to provide a clean, modern appearance. The soffit installation also contributed to the overall visual improvement of the building exterior.
Careful Project Coordination
Because the building remained fully occupied throughout the refurbishment, installation works required careful planning. Structura coordinated construction activities to ensure:
- Safe access for building occupants
- Minimal disruption to tenants
- Efficient sequencing of installation stages
- Compliance with safety regulations
By managing the refurbishment carefully, the project team was able to complete the works successfully while maintaining the building’s daily operations.
Project Results
The refurbishment of 110 High Holborn successfully addressed the façade performance issues while significantly improving the building’s external appearance and functionality. The project demonstrates how targeted façade engineering can extend the life of an ageing commercial building.
Leak-Free Façade Performance
One of the primary outcomes of the project was the restoration of a fully weather-resistant façade. The installation of the Schüco curtain wall system and replacement of failed glazing panels eliminated water ingress and ensured the building envelope now performs reliably. A leak-free façade is essential for protecting the building structure and maintaining comfortable interior conditions for occupants.
Reduced Solar Gain
The upgraded glazing and curtain wall systems help reduce solar gain entering the building. Lower solar gain improves internal temperature control and can contribute to better energy efficiency by reducing the need for mechanical cooling systems. This improvement helps create a more comfortable environment for building occupants.
Improved Building Aesthetics
The refurbishment significantly enhanced the visual appearance of the building façade. The new curtain wall installation, atrium entrance, and aluminium soffit combine to give the building a more contemporary and professional appearance suited to its prominent central London location. For commercial properties, improved façade aesthetics can also increase the attractiveness of the building to tenants and visitors.
Successful Delivery in an Occupied Building
Completing major façade refurbishment works while the building remained fully occupied was a significant achievement. The project demonstrates Structura’s ability to carry out complex refurbishment projects within operational commercial environments while maintaining safety and efficiency.