Restoration of Pitzhanger Manor

CLIENT: London Borough of Ealing
VALUE: £8.2m
DATE: August 2018

Restoration and refurbishment of Pitzhanger Manor and Gallery, Grade I-listed Manor of historical significance.

The aim was to restore Soane’s Manor and it’s landscaped setting to their Regency splendour including the refurbishment of the Gallery and new cafe/event space in the walled garden to improve visitor facilities.

Works:

• Restoration of Pitzhanger Manor, re-instating the conservatory, roof light, and historic rooms
• Removal of the Victorian infill to reveal and restore the Manor’s north elevation
• Restoration of the George Dance wing and removal of the 20th century eating room extension and porch
• Re-creating the portico to link the Manor to the Gallery
• Repair and enhancing the Gallery through improved exhibition space, a new entrance foyer, shop, and a community and learning space
• Extending the Gallery basement to provide visitor facilities and plant space
• Restoring the Lodge for volunteer facilities/workshop space
• Construction of a new café/garden room in the walled garden

Added Value

Reducing risks - protecting against fire and temporary works. We installed a temporary fire alarm system to protect the buildings against possible damage during the works.

With over 70% of site accidents being related to temporary works, and them averaging 35% of contract costs, we invested a considerable about of time designing temporary works to carefully remove an existing Victorian building located between the Manor House and the Gallery.

Reducing risks - civil infrastructure

We had to cater for large volumes of people walking on floors dating back to the Georgian period. We considered factors such as bounce, deflection, frequency, vibration, and potential problems with the ceiling below.

We carefully analysed the floor’s historic and current use and compared it against the anticipated use in the future (volume over a week/month/year, type and timing of use). We considered how the floor could be strengthened without damaging the original features – reducing bounce and deflection. As part of the process and to ensure the integrity of the existing floor we introduced a traffic management plan restricting the passage of people over the existing floor.