22 Hanover Square.

It was vital for our client that they began the build early. In order to keep pace with an ever-changing commercial environment, the design process for various elements of the project were staggered, with us designing for the Shell & Core, before the fit-out design was fully complete. Restrictive planning heights and small building footprint also meant we had limited rooftop plant space, so some innovative thinking was required… Keeping options open for the fit-out, while trying to minimise impact to a Shell & Core already in construction was a monumental challenge. Security was also a vital aspect of this luxury project, with the need to provide a VIP-level solution into a limited footprint.

Our specialist teams across MEP, Sustainability, Vertical Transportation, Fire Engineering, Intelligent Buildings and Security came together to define the best approaches. To add value at every opportunity, we focused on utilising all available space in the simplest way. Typically, the equipment for services are housed within the ceiling void, borrowing space from the room itself. Instead, we routed intake and exhaust ventilation ducts within the walls, and specified side-wall sprinklers in the hotel rooms. We also designed flexibility in at the early stages to allow for a number of fit-out solutions, providing the wider design team with full creativity to deliver the luxury environment expected.

By containing as much MEP plant as we could within the building’s basement levels, the roof plant was left for strictly essentials-only: dry air coolers, kitchen extract fans, smoke extract fans, and satellite dishes. We even gave it a footprint smaller than the overall building’s, so the plant was ‘hidden’ from view from below. Taking care to route ventilation into the basement through the building’s natural openings meant we could retain the core architectural design. These out-of-the-norm space-enhancing solutions, along with the intelligent security-led systems, are the hidden vessels of the building: a way of enabling function without compromising historic grandeur.

This unique building is all about luxury living: whether that’s found within the private residences or 5-star hotel suites. Users have a seamless and secure experience thanks to integrated systems that identifying people to the building. The bespoke 24-hour services expected by Mandarin Oriental guests can also be enjoyed by the private apartment holders, blurring the lines between home and hotel. And the final touch? The Hanover Square site is also being transformed into a green sanctuary for visitors and residents to retreat to, providing a much-needed natural oasis in the heart of the city.