St Thomas’ Church, located next to London’s iconic The Shard, is also home to the oldest surviving Victorian operating theatre in England which is now a museum.

The derelict bell tower was refurbished in 2007 and used as office space before being sold for a change of use into a quirky seven-storey, one-bedroomed apartment.
   
Challenge
SVM BSD were asked to provide the detailed design services for the Grade II listed building.

Due to the listed status of the building, SVM BSD had to provide a design that would not allow the services to run through the fabric of the building so were instead exposed. This would be part practicability but would also to provide an aesthetically-pleasing and visually dramatic look.

Two plant rooms were also required. One located at the side of the lift shaft and a plant deck on the roof with bathroom extraction.
  
Solution
The decision to place two plant rooms in two different locations was due to the spatial issues associated with the building and the very nature of the tower’s tall narrow structure.

To modernise the apartment SVM BSD provided:

> Electric underfloor heating
> Electrically-heated hot water generator
> Above ground drainage and ventilation
> Complete refurbishment of the lighting and power supplies
> An intercom system from the ground floor to the kitchen and bedroom areas for security and access control.

The design also included a fire and sprinkler alarm system.

The Outcome
The refurbished bell tower apartment is situated in a stunning location with views over The Shard, HMS Belfast and the River Thames.

The building has been considered one of the more important survivals of Queen Anne architecture in London. The project is rich with history and as church attendance continues to decline over the years, it has become common for religious buildings to undergo a residential transformation, giving historical buildings a new lease of life.