E3 has been involved with several projects at the Kings Cross Development in London. The Handyside Street plot was particularly challenging given the city centre location and proximity to underground Network Rail tunnels which, in places, run within 3 metres of the ground floor.

22 Handyside Street is a 3-storey office building providing approximately 3,225m2 of office space and 460m2 retail space. Our design has taken a ‘fabric first’ approach to minimise energy consumption whilst being sensitive to the architectural aesthetic. For example the use of external architectural piers which provide texture to the façade also minimise solar gains. The use of efficient technologies further reduce carbon emissions, including LED lighting, heat recovery mechanical ventilation, connection to a low-carbon district heating network and roof mounted PV panels. The building achieved BREEAM Outstanding.

The building was constructed as part of the partnering arrangement with major contractors on site, where E3 were retained by Argent following the stage 3 design, to monitor the contract processes and to advise technically the installation design. We are also involved in reviewing future tenant requirements.

Winner of RIBA London Award 2024.