The Rooflight Company’s Conservation Rooflight has played a key role in the refurbishment of a converted London wharf building.

Once a shipping wharf and warehouse complex at the heart of Britain’s spice trade in the 19th Century, London’s Butlers & Colonial Wharf is now a prime residential location with luxury flats and restaurants. The building underwent substantial renovation during the 1980s to transform the site into residential properties. However, the work created low ceilings and partition walls, reducing each apartment’s access to daylight and ventilation.

To appeal to the modern homeowner, the flats required a restructure to prioritise natural light and ventilation, as well as maximise the space. McDaniel Woolf Architects was responsible for re-working the layout of the apartments in the Grade II listed Victorian shell, but it wasn’t a simple brief: balancing the demands of modern living with historic foundations is never straightforward.

The apartments on the top floor suffered from the least amount of daylight, so rooflights were chosen as a simple way of introducing more light without undertaking major structural work or disrupting the building’s iconic silhouette. The listed nature of the building meant that the plan to add rooflights was not as simple as it would have been in a modern home.

The Rooflight Company created a bespoke version of its Conservation Rooflight, which made the proposal a reality. The rooflight is perfect for this type of project because it’s modelled on the original Victorian rooflight, but benefits from a modern specification to bring in the all-important daylight without compromising on thermal performance. The classic Victorian design fits seamlessly into the building’s aesthetic, which pleased the conservation officer who approved the work straight away. Residents also relished the inclusion of highly sought-after modern features, such as self-cleaning glass and automatic openings.

Not only was the rooflight the perfect fit, but the Rooflight Company was also chosen for its ability to manufacture and deliver high-quality bespoke products to the project’s exacting deadline. The architect was pleased that the highly complex design and specification was processed and delivered quickly, which was important for this specific development.

“McDaniel Woolf are proud to continue their close collaboration with the Rooflight Company, two decades of successful partnership,” commented architect Richard Woolf. “At Butlers & Colonial Wharf, our requirement was for oversized replacement rooflights for a Grade II listed, 19th century industrial building in London’s Docklands. This could only be undertaken by a manufacturer with the ability to work closely with ourselves and our mutual client, as well as advise on the technical opportunities and limitations a bespoke project required. The final installation has respected the significance of the historic site, while providing a solution of the highest quality.”

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