Tuscans' Lumen Rooflights give brighter future to Leathermarket
08 June 2009
Introducing light from above played an integral part of the recent restoration of the historic Leathermarket.
Originally built in 1833, The Leathermarket, situated in Southwark, London, was facing what can only be called a tragic end as it had been scheduled for demolition. Luckily, the historic building had a narrow escape: Workspace Group, a leading provider of affordable commercial property to let, acquired The Leathermarket to convert into a managed small business centre.
FSP Architects & Planners, who specialise in large urban regeneration projects, were contracted by Workspace Group to create a new building that would be used as an entrance/reception/exhibition and café area. The objective was to form a focus to the 19th/20th century warehouses grouped around a courtyard. The other part of the project was to restore and convert the existing building to provide 150,000 sq ft of workspace and other facilities such as offices, rehearsal rooms and retain the original Leathermarket Tavern.
Like other disused industrial buildings and agricultural buildings which are converted into either commercial or domestic dwellings, The Leathermarket lacked natural light. This is a common challenge experienced by architects. Although the obvious answer is to install rooflights, adopting old buildings can be a sensitive issue, especially if the building is listed as openings need to be kept to a minimum.
Introducing light from above is not a new concept. During the 18th century, rooflights in their most primitive form, were used to bring light into agricultural buildings. A rooflight placed up high effectively delivers an even distribution of light to low-level structures and reaches areas within a building that a normal window couldn’t possible illuminate.
To remain in keeping with the existing architecture of The Leathermaket, FSP Architects and the main contractors Bradford Watts Ltd, explored the possibility of using heritage rooflights. Conservation rooflights are easily recognised by their low profile, which means they sit flush and remain unobtrusive to the building’s original architecture. Another characteristic is their slender appearance as conservation requirements stipulate that a minimal amount of framework should be visible. This design feature becomes even more significant when rooflights are placed next to each other.
Tuscan Foundry Products were contacted by FSP and Bradford Watts to provide double and triple openings to introduce natural light into the building. The primary aim was to retain the original character of the building whilst creating modern office spaces.
Manufactured to sit flush, Tuscan Foundry Products' Lumen Link Light has a low profile and replicates an original Victorian design. This satisfied conservation requirements as it was in keeping with the original construction. The product also provided the architects with a high level of glazing and insulation through its use of Pilkington Activ - the worlds' first self cleaning glass.
As a result of exposing the existing timber truss roof, the architects could join banks of 2 or 3 Lumen Link Lights together to light up two new mezzanine areas and the top floor units. In addition, Tuscan Foundry Products were asked to provide a bespoke flat conservation rooflight to maximize light into the lobby and give access to the roof.
“It was fortunate that the LR6 Lumen Light fitted within the existing timber work and could be linked together,” explained Bradford Watts. “Subsequently, a minimal amount of alteration to the buildings' original framework needed to be carried out. The products were also supplied with an electric opening mechanism and electrically operated blinds for a complete solution.”
The newly restored Leathermarket is testimony that conservation rooflights are playing an important role in the future of historic buildings. The natural light they introduce not only enhances an interior but also contributes to the energy efficiency of a building.
The £1.3 million Grade II listed project, in liaison with Southwark Council Conservation Officer, has now been completed. As a result of the restoration all of the 19th century buildings have now been listed.
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