A city street scene with older style brick buildings, trees in the foreground, a pavement, sidewalk, and a person walking.

Lumen House

Considerate Reuse and Extension of a Grade II listed office in Clerkenwell

Architect: ORMS
Budget: £1.5m
Completed: 2024

Photography: Peter Ghobrial

The two Grade II listed buildings were originally developed as a set of 4 terrace warehouses, their identity taking inspiration from the first occupant, the Lewis Incandescent Gas Company, pioneer manufacturer of carbon filaments.

New roof terraces have been carefully installed to replace worn out and poorly insulated roof lights and to provide additional amenity spaces.

All remaining internal original features have been restored and accentuated by juxtaposing the old with new interventions, the Victorian girder beams brightly painted in the exposed timber floor structure, and timber roof trusses uplit to name a few.

In total 8,500 sqft of modern workspace has been provided within a heritage building.

The storefront of Lumen House, a modern building with a black corner section featuring large glass windows and a balcony, contrasted with an older, white, brick building with decorative columns and a blue door, located in an urban area with a paved sidewalk.
A rooftop patio with black planter boxes, a small round table, and two red metal chairs, surrounded by urban buildings under a partly cloudy sky.
Urban rooftop terrace with black metal railings, wooden flooring, a round black table, and four maroon chairs, overlooking modern buildings with glass facades under a partly cloudy sky.
Modern hotel lobby with large floor-to-ceiling windows, a reception desk with a woman, a brick wall, contemporary circular light fixtures, and seating with orange cushions.
Interior of a modern room with exposed brick wall, a large window, green plant, burnt orange armchair, black ribbed side table with gold base, and a curved pendant light.
A round black marble table with white and gray veining, next to a brown cushioned chair with black wooden arms, near a window with a white frame and window sill, and a view of an outdoor area.
Indoor staircase area with a white wall featuring a large black letter "C" painted on it, wooden stairs, and a metal handrail.
Interior of a modern office or lobby with a large white wall sign reading 'LUMEN HOUSE' and directional signs for branding, BBX, the hub, and cycle stop, decorated with a large floral arrangement in a glass vase on a white counter with a black ribbed front panel. Exposed brick wall on the left side.
Close-up of a metal support beam with bolts, paired with a wooden panel and a gray textured wall underneath a white ceiling.

New roof terraces have been carefully installed to replace worn out and poorly insulated roof lights and to provide additional amenity spaces.

Rooftop terrace with wooden benches and black chairs, grey slate roof, brick chimneys, leafless trees, and an overcast sky in the background.
Person working on a laptop at a large wooden conference table in a modern office with brick walls and large windows.
Light creates shadow patterns on the corner of a room where the ceiling meets the wall.
Close-up photo of a modern staircase handrail with sunlight casting shadows on a white wall.
Close-up of a corner of a balcony with a large glass window and white walls, showing shadows cast by sunlight.
Modern conference room with long table surrounded by coral-colored chairs, large arched windows, exposed wooden beams, brick wall, and a smaller enclosed phone booth with red interior and a round white table.
Modern conference room with a long black table surrounded by red chairs, a large wall-mounted TV, and a glass wall with black framing, wooden ceiling beams, and hardwood floors.
Modern loft living room with large window, exposed brick wall, bookshelf, patterned armchair, floor lamp, and colorful ottomans.
Living room with black sofa, striped rug, and red coffee table in front. Behind the sofa, a tall open bookshelf filled with books, awards, and decorative items. To the right, a large wooden cabinet and panel wall. On the left, exposed brick wall. Wooden flooring and a ceiling with modern track lighting.
Modern office space with white desks, ergonomic chairs, and computer monitors, featuring a large exposed brick wall and ample natural light from big windows.
Modern office with white desks, desktop computers, white chairs, large windows, exposed brick wall, and ceiling with black beams and linear lighting.
Interior shot of an office space with exposed brick walls, large arched windows, and modern furniture, including chairs and computer monitors.

In total 8,500 sqft of modern workspace has been provided within a heritage building.

Modern kitchen with wooden cabinets, a white countertop, bar stools, and decorative letters on the shelf.
Interior of a modern room with a kitchen area on the left, featuring a white countertop with a coffee machine and toaster, open shelves with dishes, a wooden wall, and a cozy sitting area with a bookshelf, armchair, and large windows in the background.
Modern office space with white desks, computers, white chairs, wooden floor, brick and white walls, large windows, and bookshelves.
Interior space with wooden lockers on the back wall, a black granite countertop with two sinks and gold faucets, green pillars, and a terrazzo floor.
Open door revealing an interior space with terrazzo walls and floor, and a black metal door frame.
Indoor staircase with wooden steps, metal railing, white walls, and natural light coming from windows at the top.
Close-up of black bookcases with wooden circular and semi-circular shelves.
Indoor restroom or vanity area with a black granite countertop, a white sink, and gold-colored faucet fixtures. Vertical panels of green and wood finish walls, with elevators or lockers in the background.
Glass shower enclosure with terrazzo walls and floor, gold and wooden accents, and a large mirror on the right wall.