The Rowe

Under Construction

Timothy Soar

The Rowe, formerly known as Central House, is the adaptation and extension of the former London Metropolitan School of Art, Architecture and Design, providing over 150,000 square feet of office space.

NEW LONDON AWARDS 2020

Shortlisted in the WORKING category
The redevelopment of the former Cass School of Art and Architecture creates a contemporary office by adding to the existing six-storey building an equal but contrasting volume above.

The renovation provides 150,000 sq ft of office space by adding an equal volume above the existing building. The new build element mimics the horizontal banding and rhythm of the 1960s concrete panels but contrasts this with a steel structure and dark palette. A setback level highlights the tension between old and new.At low level, two additional buildings complete the urban block. A three-storey brick building completes the adjacent passage whilst a five-storey metal building with cantilevered balconies addresses the street at the rear.

View the 2020 winning projects here

Project information

Status

Under Construction

Borough

Tower Hamlets

Size

14800 sq m

Estimated completion

November 2022

Location

60 Whitechapel High St, London E1 7QX, UK