Petrarch Panels reconstituted stone rainscreen cladding system ticked all the right boxes for this elegant facade refurbishment – elevating the design and building performance to a whole new level. Not only did this striking commercial retrofit project achieve 

BREEAM ‘Excellent’ it was also shortlisted for the AJ Retrofit and Reuse; Saved From Demolition Award!

‘Retrofitting at its finest’
Located a stone’s throw away from St James’ Park Station, Darling Associates took a fabric first approach to modernising a dated and stranded asset into a dynamic working environment.

Introducing The Dacre at St James’s Park – A Reimagined Workspace Rooted in Elegance and Sustainability

We’re proud to announce the launch of The Dacre, a thoughtfully reimagined workspace set across seven expansive floors in the heart of St James’s Park. This landmark project combines the character of its original structure with a future-focused design approach, delivering exceptional office space that meets the highest sustainability standards.

A central pillar of the redesign is the implementation of Petrarch Panels, reconstituted stone cladding system, chosen to deliver a refined and authentic façade while preserving the architectural integrity of the original building. This material not only brings a timeless elegance to the external envelope but manufactured predominantly from by-product marble and stone, it reinforces the designer and architects’ commitment to a sustainable, retrofit-led approach, one that champions reuse, respects context, and elevates the existing.

The Dacre boasts a prime location, generous floor plates, excellent natural light, and prominent visibility onto key social thoroughfares. A major design move included reorienting the main entrance to create a more welcoming arrival experience and maximising daylight across all floors; transforming the internal environment and unlocking the building’s full potential.

“The project meets high sustainability standards, including BREEAM Excellent and a 35% reduction in Part L energy usage, thanks to ASHP for hot water, MVHR systems, and high-performance external fabric.”

Originally initiated in 2016 as a light renovation of a partially occupied building, the scope of the project evolved as new opportunities emerged. By retaining the core structure and materials while introducing contemporary enhancements—such as a striking glass corner for panoramic views—the design team was able to create flexible, future-ready spaces. 

Today, The Dacre offers 22,000 sq ft of premium workspace, complete with outdoor terraces, modern meeting rooms, a centralised core with bathrooms, and thoughtfully designed breakout zones using recycled materials.

In 2019, the addition of a new rooftop terrace was approved, this adaptive reuse strategy not only optimised resources and aligned perfectly with the client’s sustainability goals.

The Dacre is more than a building; it’s a case study in how elegant, authentic design and retrofit thinking can work in harmony to deliver places with purpose and lasting value. At the heart of all that, we’re proud to see how our Petrarch reconstituted stone rainscreen panels have played a pivotal part of the story. 

Read more about the project here:

https://www.darlingassociates.net/2024/07/25/shorlisted-for-aj-retrofit-awards/?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAadtcRrgDEXsITVm9ihAfi6lz_HtkwYyvkblZtf6Rqoeju66Vn6iq8JuvzbEgQ_aem_wNx1QoqxaZcbx4fjLWZ73g