22 June 2022 · By Rob Wilson, photography by Andy Stagg

The hub has been built for volunteers at the Pitzhanger Manor & Gallery Trust to both relax in and take part in training and development sessions. It is also open for use by the local community in Ealing

The hub is sited within the curtilage of Pitzhanger Manor, the 1804 country house designed by and for John Soane in west London. The house is a national heritage site so Jo Townshend Architects worked in close consultation with conservation officers at Ealing Council and local amenity groups.

It was built within and upon existing listed Georgian masonry walls and, where needed, the existing masonry was built up to form a constant datum with a glazed lantern placed above to provide natural daylight to the interior space.

In developing its design, Jo Townshend Architects says it looked to reflect Soane's continued architectural inspiration, posing the question: what might Soane do today? In particular, the form of Soane’s famous ‘handkerchief ceilings’ at Pitzhanger Manor has inspired the design of the ceiling, which undulates in a ‘ceiling-scape’ – lower at the centre and rising around the perimeter – formed by using a series of vertical fins, stretching across the width of the building.

A cost and carbon-effective solution to this ambitious ceiling design was achieved by using a CNC kit of plywood parts to produce the fins, which could be easily assembled on site, developed through working closely with structural engineer Webb Yates.

With the exception of some localised underpinning required by building control, the project is free of concrete and steel with much of the existing building fabric reused.

After five years of conceptualising, planning, strategising and constructing alongside the talented teams at Webb Yates Engineers, AECOM and JK London, we have finally been able to unveil the Pitzhanger Hub.

A subtle nod to John Soane's design methodologies led to a modest building, consisting predominantly of a lantern roof structure sat atop existing brickwork walls. A perimeter of clerestorey glazing encourages natural daylight into the space, filtered between an expertly engineered plywood handkerchief ceiling.

It was a pleasure to work with Pitzhanger Manor & Gallery Trust to provide a welcoming space for the network of Pitzhanger's volunteers and the local community in Ealing, and we hope it sets a precedent for what can be achieved on a compact backland site. Jo Townshend, director, Jo Townshend Architects

We are delighted with this intelligent and sensitive interpretation of our brief to reflect Soane’s continued architectural inspiration as one of the most innovative architects of his time. Jo Townshend Architects, Webb Yates Engineers, AECOM and the full project team have championed beautiful design by creating an elegant, modern and welcoming space which will significantly enhance our volunteer and community experience at Pitzhanger. Clare Gough, director, Pitzhanger Manor & Gallery

Start on site August 2021 Completion date May 2022 Gross internal floor area 35m2 Gross (internal + external) floor area 45m2 Form of contract or procurement route JCT Minor Works Building Contract Architect Jo Townshend Architect Client Pitzhanger Manor & Gallery Trust Structural engineer Webb Yates Engineers Feasibility & concept design AECOM Engineers CNC plywood fins CNC Projects Lighting Studio Dekka Principal designer Jo Townshend Architects Approved building inspector Ealing Council Main contractor JK London Construction CAD software used Vectorworks

Tags Brick Ealing extension Jo Townshend Architects John Soane Learning centre Pitzhanger Manor & Gallery

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