dn-a are proud to announce that planning consent has been given for the redevelopment of Douglas House in Reigate.
Leased by Kimberly Clark, the site has remained unchanged since its construction in 1983. However, together with Hermes and Landid, we have developed a proposal which seeks to set the typology for highly sustainable office new builds and refurbishments in Reigate.
With our proven history of transforming existing commercial assets through retention and refurbishment, our primary objective was to retain as much of the existing building as possible. Unfortunately, the construction of the building and its layout hindered most avenues of retention when we began to explore rationalising internal spaces, extensions and additional massing. Despite that, we were able to preserve the lower ground concrete retaining structures and repurpose it to form the building footprint to London Road and adjacent north boundaries.
Recognising that the existing building could not offer us the carbon-savings we sought, it was essential that any new building component was carbon efficient, if not zero, from cradle to cradle. Using LETI guidance and Passivhaus principles, we have conceived a highly efficient brick and concrete-steel hybrid new build proposal, which seeks to maximise the sites potential, whilst also engaging with surrounding buildings and street frontages. These proposals seek to deliver an all-electric, super-efficient Grade A commercial office development.
“What a result. dn-a worked tirelessly to engage with the local stakeholders and have quickly achieved planning for an exceptional office. The handsome building will sit well on the site and set the benchmark for sustainable, all electric and low energy office space. We look forward to working with dn-a to bring the building out of the ground…”
James Silver, Director at Landid
Due to the sites excellent transport infrastructure, the ambitions for this building’s long-term sustainable and environmental goals continue given its proximity to Reigate Railway Stations and local bus networks on London Road. Large areas of existing car parking and parking structure have been substituted for extensive cycle storage with associated shower and changing facilities, electric car charging spaces and car share schemes. Alongside, two levels of office amenities, roof terraces and nature plant boundaries.
Through these proposals we aim to revitalise the commercial office market within Reigate, and establish a new breed of ‘best in class’ highly efficient Grade A office with aspirations of setting a new benchmark for future developments in Reigate and other Surrey-based towns.
