Focus

The award-winning architecture studio Theis + Khan designed this multi-use building, which includes three floors of commercial space with residential units above. Sustainable construction methods were adopted from the outset of the project: for example, the use of a frame of exposed concrete for the benefits of thermal mass combined with highly insulated brick walls, natural ventilation, a green roof, solar panels to supplement the hot water supply and a metal suspended Ergofocus fireplace in the centre of the living area for extra heating. The building was selected by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) for the RIBA London Award as well as the RIBA Stirling Prize in 2010.