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Overview
New Inn Broadway is located on one of the most historically significant cultural sites in London. The development stands on the location of the archaeological remains of “The Theatre”, the first purpose-built polygonal theatre in London and the original home of William Shakespeare’s theatre company. This historic theatre predates the famous Globe Theatre on the River Thames and is recognised as a scheduled monument of national importance.
The site required a sensitive architectural approach that would respect its cultural significance while introducing a modern commercial building designed to serve contemporary needs. The original structure on the site was a single-storey factory building, which was demolished to make way for a new five-storey building designed to celebrate the historical importance of the location.
Structura was appointed to design, engineer, fabricate, and install a bespoke curtain wall façade system, combining high-performance glazing with Accoya timber rainscreen cladding. The design aimed to reflect the materials and character associated with the historic theatre while delivering modern façade performance and safety.
The finished building provides a striking architectural statement that honours the heritage of the site while demonstrating the technical capabilities of modern façade engineering.
Details
Client:
The Box Office
Location:
Shoreditch, London
Architect:
Gallus Studio
Project Metrics
Key performance and project metrics include:
Building Height: Five storeys
Façade System: Schüco FW60 curtain wall system
Cladding: Bespoke Accoya timber rainscreen panels
Entrance System: Large panoramic automatic sliding doors
Roof Glazing: Schüco roof glazing with automatic smoke vents
Façade Testing: CWCT Sequence B performance testing
These elements combined to deliver a truly bespoke façade installation, reflecting both the historic context of the site and the technical expertise of the Structura engineering team.
The Challenge
The New Inn Broadway project presented several unique engineering and construction challenges. The combination of heritage sensitivity, bespoke façade design, and logistical constraints in a busy urban environment required careful planning and specialist façade expertise.
Building on a Historically Significant Site
The development site sits on the remains of Shakespeare’s original theatre, making it one of the most historically significant cultural locations in London. The archaeological remains beneath the building are protected as a scheduled monument, meaning that the design and construction process had to respect the importance of the site. The architectural concept therefore required a façade that referenced the historical materials and construction methods associated with the original theatre while delivering a modern building suitable for contemporary commercial use. This requirement influenced both the selection of façade materials and the overall architectural approach.
Creating a Bespoke Façade System
The building’s façade design was highly distinctive and required the integration of several different façade components, including:
- Curtain wall glazing
- Accoya timber rainscreen cladding
- Large automatic sliding entrance doors
- Plant room screening
- Bespoke louvre systems
- Roof glazing with smoke ventilation
These systems needed to work together to create a cohesive façade while meeting performance standards for weather resistance, structural stability, and fire safety. Because of the unique combination of materials and systems involved, the façade design required CWCT Sequence B testing to verify that the system could withstand environmental conditions and meet façade performance standards.
Working in a High-Traffic Urban Environment
New Inn Broadway is located in a busy area of central London with extremely high levels of pedestrian activity. Construction work therefore required strict safety planning and operational control to protect both workers and the public. Key logistical challenges included limited working space, high pedestrian footfall, restricted access for lifting equipment, and traffic management requirements. To manage these constraints, the project required road closures, night-time working schedules, and controlled traffic management during certain phases of the installation.
Installing Glazing in Restricted Spaces
Part of the glazing installation took place within a very small courtyard area at the rear of the building, where access for large installation equipment was extremely limited. The installation required careful sequencing and the use of mechanical lifting equipment to manoeuvre glass sections safely into position. Handling large glazed components within such confined spaces required precision, experience, and patience from the installation team.
Structura’s Solution
Structura provided full façade engineering expertise throughout the project, including the design, fabrication, testing, and installation of the curtain wall and façade systems. The solution focused on delivering a façade that combined architectural expression with technical performance.
Curtain Wall Engineering Across Five Floors
Structura designed and installed a Schüco FW60 curtain wall system across the full five floors of the building. This system provides high-performance structural glazing capable of delivering structural stability, weather resistance, thermal performance, and long-term durability.
The curtain wall system forms the core structural façade framework onto which the timber rainscreen cladding was installed. The integration of these two façade elements required careful engineering coordination to ensure structural compatibility and long-term performance.
Bespoke Accoya Timber Rainscreen Façade
One of the most distinctive elements of the project was the installation of bespoke Accoya timber rainscreen panels. Accoya timber is a highly durable and sustainable modified wood product that offers excellent dimensional stability and weather resistance. For this project, the architectural design used Accoya panels to create a façade that reflects the historic materials associated with Shakespeare’s original theatre.
The timber panels were installed directly onto the curtain wall structure to create a layered façade system combining modern glazing with natural timber cladding. At the time of installation, the use of Accoya timber in this type of façade application had not previously been used in construction for this purpose, making the project particularly unique. The finished façade provides both architectural character and environmental durability.
Large Automatic Sliding Entrance Doors
At the ground floor entrance, Structura designed and installed large panoramic automatic sliding doors that provide an open and welcoming entry to the building. These doors were engineered to handle high levels of daily pedestrian use while maintaining smooth operation and reliability. The entrance design also includes a fire door and plant room screening, integrated seamlessly with the surrounding curtain wall façade.
Roof Glazing with Smoke Ventilation
The project also included the installation of Schüco roof glazing systems at the rear and side elevations of the building. These glazing systems incorporate automatic smoke vents, which play an important role in the building’s fire safety strategy. In the event of a fire, the automatic smoke ventilation system helps remove smoke from the building to improve visibility and assist evacuation procedures.
CWCT Sequence B Testing
Because of the bespoke nature of the façade design, Structura was responsible for overseeing CWCT Sequence B testing. CWCT testing is a rigorous performance assessment used in the façade industry to evaluate how curtain wall systems respond to environmental conditions such as wind pressure, water penetration, air permeability, and structural movement. By completing the CWCT testing process, Structura ensured that the bespoke façade system met the required performance standards before installation.
Project Results
The New Inn Broadway project successfully delivered a façade that balances historical reference, architectural creativity, and modern façade engineering performance.
A Unique Architectural Façade
The combination of curtain wall glazing and Accoya timber cladding resulted in a distinctive façade that reflects the historic significance of the site. The design creates a modern interpretation of traditional theatre materials while maintaining the technical performance expected from contemporary façade systems. The finished building provides a strong visual identity while acknowledging the importance of the location.
Successful Installation of a Complex Façade System
The integration of multiple façade systems, including curtain wall glazing, timber rainscreen panels, entrance doors, louvres, and roof glazing—required a high level of coordination and technical expertise. Structura successfully delivered all façade components within the constraints of a highly restricted urban construction environment.
Enhanced Building Performance
The curtain wall system and glazing installations provide the building with a durable and high-performance façade that offers weather resistance, structural reliability, long-term durability, and fire safety integration. The roof glazing smoke ventilation system also contributes to the building’s fire safety infrastructure.
Efficient Delivery in a Challenging Environment
Despite the challenges associated with working in a high-traffic location, the installation process was successfully completed through careful planning and site coordination. Night working, road closures, and traffic control measures ensured that construction activities could proceed safely without disrupting the surrounding area.
Awards
Schuco Excellence Awards 2024
Health, Culture & Leisure Buildings Award Shortlisted