Project Name: Pender Studio

Location: London, UK

Scope: Conversion of an automotive parts factory into a studio and gallery, 2005 - 2007

We were asked to renovate an automotive parts factory into a painting studio and gallery in Regent's Park. This building had undergone several retrofits that had reduced the factory into a cramped flatshare. The constraints of the building were numerous – the previous retrofit had an oversized steel beam that impeded any vertical stair to connect the upper level to a new attic, and a brick wall had effectively closed off 2m of space. We decided to recompose the vertical circulation to become a coil from which the new addition would unfold. This allowed the refinishing of floors and new openings to bring together a three-storey space that previously had been bricked-up. This coiling stair also allows south-facing skylights in the reclaimed loft to bring natural light to the lower floors. American hardwood was used to create light, self-supporting, custom-made stairs and floors.

credits:

Phil Lardner (builder)