David Walker Architects

Description

The refurbishment of St Catherine's House was completed in 2008. The original Edwardian building was designed to fully exploit the prominent position of Kingsway and Aldwych in London. Its façade was chamfered at the corner and a grand portico established an imposing entrance for the former tax records office. The site was redeveloped in 1999 although the new building related poorly to the original façade particularly the reception which responded awkwardly to this grand entrance.  

The new scheme re-establishes the prominence of the building's entrance by introducing a two storey reception designed to exploit the original portico and to clarify the relationship between the retained façade and the new offices behind.