The client’s brief was to transform an existing 3 storey, shallow plan office block that had been insufficiently profitable since construction, into a residential development that would tap into the local student market. To complicate matters, and to comply with local planning policy, 40% of the office space had to be retained. To tackle this, TKLS Architects proposals included a two-storey extension above the original building, which not only creates additional floor space, but also gives the building the bulk it previously lacked to suit its footprint. In addition, the gap beneath the buildings piloti is infilled to create additional commercial and ancillary accommodation to ground the building and provide a building line at pedestrian level. In total 45 new studio, one and two bedroom flats were created, sitting either side of a central corridor. At the upper levels the footprint is recessed to the rear to create small garden terraces, but also to ensure that the flats do not overlook the neighbouring residences. The street elevation has been formalised by emphasising the building’s structural bays, creating a vertical emphasis previously lacking. The rear elevation is a more playful mix of window forms and coloured geometric shapes. The stair towers are clad in opaque glass panels to stand out at night and to make them light and airy. Render is used as the primary cladding material as it puts minimal additional weight on to the original structure, and the top floor is clad in zinc to create a capping at the top of the building.