YALDING HOUSE, LONDON

YALDING HOUSE, GREAT PORTLAND STREET, LONDON

Architect: Buckley Gray Yeoman
Client: Private Developer
Sector: Commercial Refurbishment / Heritage

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Project Overview

Yalding House, located on Great Portland Street in Fitzrovia, is a celebrated 1930s office building that served as the home of BBC Radio’s Music Department for over 60 years, housing Radio 1, Radio 3, and the BBC’s Central Music Library.
Following the BBC’s relocation in 2013, the building underwent a comprehensive refurbishment to return it to modern office use while preserving its unique heritage.

Appointed by Buckley Gray Yeoman Architects, CDC Engineering delivered a full suite of bespoke architectural metalwork that seamlessly bridges the building’s industrial past with its refined contemporary identity.

Scope of Works

CDC Engineering was responsible for the design, engineering, manufacture, and installation of a range of feature metalwork elements across the building, combining hot rolled black lacquer finish with aged brass detailing to create a cohesive material language throughout.

Key Deliverables:

• Entrance Cladding & Signage
  – Bespoke hot rolled black steel with lacquer finish cladding with integrated “Yalding House” lettering and concealed LED backlighting, creating a striking and elegant entrance statement.
• Reception Desk
  – Custom-built reception counter featuring hot rolled steel black lacquer finish panels with aged brass inlays, blending modern craftsmanship with industrial texture.
• Lift Reveals & Headers
  – Precision-engineered lift reveals clad in the hot rolled steel black lacquer finish, with contrasting brass headers to elevate the visual rhythm and continuity of the lobby space.
• Feature Signage Board
  – Wall-mounted signboard fabricated in the same blackened steel with brass-cut lettering, echoing the lift detailing for a unified aesthetic.

Design & Fabrication Process

All components were designed, engineered, and finished entirely in-house by CDC Engineering’s specialist teams, ensuring absolute control over quality and visual consistency:

• 3D CAD design and engineering enabled precise alignment with architectural intent.
• Components were laser cut, welded, and hand-finished in our fabrication workshop.
• Final assembly and installation were executed on-site by CDC’s experienced fitters, ensuring seamless integration within the refurbished interior.
• Our dedicated finishing laboratory developed and applied custom blackened steel and aged brass patinas, achieving rich, durable surface tones tailored to the architect’s specification.

Result

The completed metalwork integrates seamlessly with the building’s architectural narrative — robust yet refined, industrial yet elegant.
The use of hot rolled black lacquered steel and aged brass reflects the craftsmanship of the past while presenting a sophisticated, modern identity for today’s occupants.

Delivered on time and to exacting standards, the project highlights CDC Engineering’s full in-house capability — from concept design to specialist finishing — combining technical precision, aesthetic understanding, and meticulous execution on heritage-sensitive commercial refurbishments.

Client Testimonial
“CDC Engineering brought our design vision to life with precision and artistry. Their attention to detail and craftsmanship were exceptional throughout, and the final result at Yalding House perfectly balances modern refinement with historical integrity.”
— Project Architect, Buckley Gray Yeoman

Get in touch with our team via email admin@cdc-engineering.co.uk or calling 01702 294449