A Magnificent Transformation Of London's Old War Office

Originally completed in 1906, the Grade II* listed Old War Office building in London has been closed to the public for more than a century. Arguably best known for being Winston Churchill’s headquarters during World War II, it’s also the location where Ian Fleming was inspired to write James Bond, with several Bond movies also filmed there.

It’s now time for the next chapter in the history books of this landmark building. Originally designed by British architect William Young, the transformation from former Old War Office into The OWO has been overseen by the award-winning EPR Architects. Their vision was “to preserve the historical features of The OWO, whilst at the same time creating a contemporary design with modern-day innovations,” says Geoff Hull, Director at EPR.

The attention to detail and meticulous craftsmanship applied during the transformation required the use of reliable waterproofing materials behind the scenes. Tile and stone protection experts Schlüter-Systems supplied a comprehensive selection of waterproofing solutions.

The OWO Residences by Raffles are designed for grand living and entertaining. Each home is unique with its own distinct personality and style. Inadequate waterproofing in bathrooms and wetrooms can spell disaster so a combination of Schlüter products were chosen, including the waterproofed tile backerboard Schlüter-KERDI-BOARD, to ensure that the extraordinary interiors are protected for years to come. Using a complete waterproofing system from a single manufacturer offers total peace of mind as all of the components are designed to work together effectively.

Solid stainless steel shower drains were chosen to continue the use of high-quality materials throughout the entire home. Schlüter-KERDI-LINE-D frameless linear drains allow the continuation of the covering material across the entire shower area surface to offer a near-invisible drainage aesthetic.

Ultimate comfort was provided with the use of Schlüter-DITRA-HEAT-E, the electric underfloor heating system that also has uncoupling properties, allowing the substrate and tile or stone covering to move independently of one another. The smart WiFi thermostat Schlüter-DITRA-HEAT-E-R-WIFI allows for ultimate control of the system, via the dedicated Schlüter-HEAT-CONTROL app.

Similar products were used for waterproofing and underfloor heating in London’s first Raffles hotel, both in the 120 bedrooms and suites as well as the spa area, ensuring The OWO remains part of British history for years to come.