As arguably the best-known retailer of timber furniture across Europe and beyond, Ikea takes its environmental responsibilities; these include the sustainable sourcing of materials, very seriously. It is fitting, therefore, that the creation of the company’s latest store in the UK has featured the conservation of 14 large hardwood windows which had been exposed to the worst of the weather for more than a century.
The Swedish chain’s ESG commitments focus on three key areas – Health & Sustainable Living, Climate, Nature & Circularity. It follows that the carefully considered in-situ repair of these mansard frames by fenestration repair specialist, Associated Steel Window Association (ASWS), offers a respectful resonance. As the London-based contractor has proved on previous projects, such as the conversion of the nearby County Hall, avoiding replacement often delivers the lowest impacts.
In the case of 214 Oxford Street, the North-east segment of the famous four Oxford Circus landmark buildings, ASWS was initially called in by Avison Young, the client’s representative, to carry out a full condition survey of the steel, timber and street level bronze windows which surround the structure. Then when it began work for main contractor McLaren Construction in early 2023 as the scaffolding went up, all the areas of concern highlighted in the lengthy report were proved to have resulted from serious water ingress; both through the Portland Stone façades and other weaknesses such as failed asphalt.
With up to 50 personnel on site at any one time, ASWS deployed all of its tradecraft on the project, including the skilled team of carpenters, glaziers, fitters and painters directly involved up on Level 5 of the building which will now be let as high-spec offices. And, although there was a level of decay due to the weather and poor maintenance down the years, ASWS was confident from early on that the mix of side hung casements set within fixed lights could be given a new lease of life. In the worst cases the carpenters were forced to splice in new timber sections where the old hardwood had become badly rotted. Many of the sills also needed replacing where they had sat in water for years.
Mainly measuring 1.6m wide by 2.7m high, though some were 3.7m long, the ageing wooden windows were also close to floor level and reached up into the eaves. While the actual frames remained in place, ASWS demounted the sashes so that they could be stripped and repaired in its compact workshop set up on site. This stage of the work included routing in new weather seals as a straightforward but significant energy saving measure. Once the conservation work was complete, any broken glass was replaced along with a switch to safety glass along all the lower sections. The reglazing was carried out using security tape and then a silicone top cap bead applied externally. Internally the original solid timber beads were refitted. In addition, all of the hinges were replaced while the rest of the ironmongery was buffed and polished before being reinstalled.
Impressively, the client and its project team have targeted a BREEAM ‘Outstanding’ for this ambitious retail refurbishment: requiring every aspect of its environmental performance to be evaluated. So, while 214 Oxford Street benefits from being located on three Tube lines as well as multiple bus routes, and air source heat pumps have replaced conventional gas boilers, attaining the highest environmental standard requites many small wins to raise performance. Accordingly, working to conserve and upgrade the energy performance of existing fenestration, rather than installing new, earns valuable points.
Peter Jelkeby, CEO and chief sustainability officer for Ikea UK, said: “We have worked carefully to ensure we maintain the character of this historic building whilst creating a modern retail environment for customers to explore and be inspired. Ikea Oxford Street’s location complements our network of stores in London – and beyond – and allows us to be closer to where our customers live, work and shop, while importantly being easily accessible by foot or public transport.”
