Previously a School of Music, Tower House School was founded in September 1931 with only 3 boys. Today, Tower House School provides education for 180 pupils from the local and surrounding boroughs. Covering pupils from age four to 13, the school had outgrown its Edwardian home which means that the once adequate classrooms are no longer suitable for employing 21st century teaching methods.
The development of 190 Sheen Lane provided four new classrooms with more space per child, providing a less cramped environment more conducive to todays teaching. A multi- purpose performance and play space also provides an indoor play facility that the school does not presently have, whilst also providing a flexible space which could be used for a number of different activities and events throughout the academic year, as well as the potential for community use during out of school hours.
We undertook a detailed, historical assessment of East Sheen which enabled us as designers, and the school as the client, to better understand the context and needs of the conservation area that the school sits within.
The removal of the unsympathetic residential building from the existing plot was a positive opportunity and in doing do so aiding in reinstating the architectural quality and unity of the streetscape. The new classroom building is sympathetic to the streetscape through the designed frontage to Sheen Lane and its choice of materials. We allowed the qualities of the surrounding buildings of the conservation area to subtly lead the new building in a form that is respectful and in keeping with the qualities of the Sheen Lane Conservation Area. The single storey multi-use space to the west of the site is partly hidden from Sheen Lane by the new classroom block that fronts the road. Its visual impact to the rear of the plot will be minimised through keeping the building’s height below that of the classroom block in front of it.
The first floor rooms of the building are partially within the roof space in order to maximize the new floor area gained whilst keeping the height subservient to the adjacent Building of Merit. Features that characterize the conservation area include bay windows, pitched roofs, dormer windows, and other typical Edwardian residential scale features.
"Following discussion we consider that this latest version is a good scheme, appropriate for the setting, but with buildings having a distinctive personality. The indication of materials shown has a good balance overall. In addition, this provides a good opportunity to improve the frontage treatment along Sheen Lane."
Conservation Team - Richmond and Wandsworth Councils
We were honored to have led the award-winning restoration of Eshton Hall, a Grade II* listed country house in North Yorkshire 🏆
Our work addressed previous substandard repairs, focusing on roof and guttering systems to prevent water ingress and structural damage. This project exemplifies our commitment to preserving historic estates through sensitive, sustainable interventions.
#Restoration #Architecture #HistoricEngland
Mar 12
Bringing new life to Fazeley Town Centre 👷
Our proposals transformed the historic mill into 50 characterful apartments, arranged around a central corridor, with a contemporary new escape stair sensitively added to complement the building’s scale and industrial heritage.
The annex was divided into a range of 2-4 bedroom townhouses while make full use of the annex and its dual aspect which over looks the canal and the new residential units being constructed within the wider site 🙌
#Conservation #Architecture #HistoricEngland
Mar 10
We`re proud to be working with Levens Hall Estate on a carefully agreed programme of conservation works guided by a deep respect for the site’s history, heritage and environment....
The works include:
🌿 The re-roofing of the cockloft
🌿 Chimney repairs and limewashing
🌿 Comprehensive leadwork replacement
🌿 Timber repairs
🌿 Repairs to gutters and downpipes
Alongside the physical works, the project places a strong emphasis on skills-sharing, with training provided to the estate team and estate workers from neighbouring properties. This involved training in traditional materials and techniques, including limewash, lime mortars and leadwork. Additional CPD days will open this knowledge more widely, supporting best practice in the care, repair and understanding of historic buildings.
Through every stage our approach remains rooted in context, preserving the past while building for the future.
Drone credit: @wham.visuals
#Conservation #Architecture #Kendal
Feb 19
