Quadrant House: Sustainable retrofit of a 1960s modernist office and retail building
Quadrant House is a sustainable retrofit of a 1960s modernist commercial building in the heart of Caterham. The 115-metre-long structure, with its original concrete frame and ground floor retail units, forms a defining presence on the high street. When faced with residential conversion under private ownership, the building was purchased by Tandridge District Council to retain affordable workspace for local businesses. Funded in part by Coast to Capital LEP, the project aims to support local economic growth while demonstrating best-practice retrofit techniques. Root And Erect led the phased refurbishment strategy, balancing performance upgrades with tight budget constraints and challenging existing structural limitations. Key improvements include communal facilities, refurbished office suites, a rainwater-fed green wall on the main elevation, and new terraces overlooking the town centre.
Environmental performance sits at the core of the design strategy. With support from BTP Consultancy, building envelope upgrades were prioritised – new thermally efficient windows and doors reduce energy loss, while future phases will introduce photovoltaic panels and further internal refurbishments. A transition to all-electric heating and cooling enables a long-term move towards on-site renewable energy generation.
Enhancing accessibility, new escape stairs and lift cores serve all levels, and the High Street frontage will be further activated through new shopfront guidelines. The retrofit enhances biodiversity, air quality, and appearance along the high street while providing flexible, affordable office space, new communal areas and a business incubator. The project is a proud example of how thoughtful retrofit can secure both architectural legacy and social impact for a local community.
