London, 2018+

 

Kensal House is a Grade II* listed 1930s Modernist landmark, designed by architect Maxwell Fry with social reformer Elizabeth Denby. Fry and Denbys’ intention in building Kensal House was to create homes with shared communal spaces at the core. The Community Rooms were intended for recreation, workshops, entertainment, hobbies; spaces designated for residents to be together, to learn from, support and enjoy each other.

 

After decades of neglect, the Community Rooms were in need of conservation, rehabilitation and new level access to ensure all body types can use the Rooms.  Working alongside the tenant, SPID Theatre, nearly £4m of public money was raised, most notably from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, National Lottery Community Fund and the Mayor of London's Good Growth Fund.

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The project included full conservation of the historic spaces, with all new, discreet contemporary services and facilities, a new level-access ramped corridor, new lift and entrance staircase, as well as reinstatement of all the lost glazing in re-formed original openings.    

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The project was completed in summer 2024.​

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Construction PM: TGA Building Consultancy

Pre-construction PM: The Cultural Engine

Structural Engineer: Stand Consulting Engineers

QS: Appleyard & Trew

MEP consultant: OR Consulting Engineers

Access consultant: Jane Toplis Associates Ltd.

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Photographs Studio Sam Causer.

Historic photographs from RIBA Collections publication 'Kensal House: a contribution to the new London' photographer Edith Tudor Hart