Exchange House

A new use for an existing building

The brief assumes a vacant three-storey commercial building in Class E use, with approximately 1,050 square metres of gross internal floor area. It explores four one-bedroom and six two-bedroom apartments. The warehouse-inspired architecture is an invented visual starting point; no real building or existing lawful use has been verified.

Retaining character

The alternative visual direction gives the building a strong corner presence, with arched window heads, textured brickwork and a restrained cornice. A contemporary entrance and recessed glazed circulation bay express the adaptation. The approach explores how new interventions could sit within an older masonry envelope.

Testing the conversion

Further design would coordinate apartment layouts with the existing structural grid, windows, daylight and privacy. Shared access, a lift and stair strategy, fire safety, acoustic separation, ventilation and thermal upgrades would need to be tested together. Ground-floor residential use would also need to be assessed against the actual street and planning context.

Class E to C3 is the study brief

Class E to C3 describes the assumed change of use explored here. It is not confirmation of Class MA eligibility or prior approval. The appropriate planning route would depend on a real building's lawful use, history, location and applicable requirements.

Concept status

Exchange House is a self-initiated illustrative study by Hepburn Architects, with no identified client or site and no submitted or approved application.