Before the build
After the renovation
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It is still known locally as The Organ Factory, although no organ has been built there for decades. Built in 1872 for August Gern, a German organ maker who had trained in Paris, it was used until his retirement in 1906. Some of the organs built here are still in use around the world including locally in St John’s, Holland Road. Lotus cars were assembled here until the early 1990’s, however all trace of such a past had vanished when it was discovered by the Lamonts in late 1999. All the original features remaining have been sympathetically restored like the circular rose window; and in particular the vaulted ceiling which was built to test the organ’s acoustics in authentic conditions.
The site had been derelict for years and consequently it required a significant number of straps to support the existing structure to overcome decades of neglect. Stitching to the brickwork went on for yards and all the new window opening had to have reinforced concrete beams.
The buildings aspect and volume made it possible to make some immediate decisions in allocating space to the various functions identified. It seemed obvious to split the church like rectangular shape into two parts. To the north and front end would be the gallery on the existing first floor with a mezzanine to go above and large spaces below. To the more private southern end the four bedroomed house. This required splitting the levels so that another floor could be inserted at the rear which makes the central staircase area very complicated for the uninitiated. With the coming of the steel staircase in the gallery and by use of the outside stairs it is possible to get to the third floor without using the main stairs. The metal stairs fit the industrial heritage of the building and its days of concerts to test the new organs.
“Our choice to juxtapose contemporary detail with historical structure has provided us with enough scope to express our eclectic taste. Central to the resolution of the design was creating and maintaining views of the existing gothic style ceiling from newly constructed levels whilst maximising on natural light.”
To view the completed project, please click here.
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