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If you need help to upgrade your building so you can attract better tenants…or more members to your club, then this post might be interesting.

We are specialists in building upgrades and there are a lot of stories about these projects in my book (you can download for free on my website under resources).

One of the more interesting stories is the renovation of The Roundhouse Theatre in Camden Town. I was the architect in charge for John McAslan and Partners during its renovation.

The project was extremely complex converting a Victorian Shed into a 21st century theatre. Like all these projects it involved detail, negotiation, persistence and bloody mindedness to get it built….including 2 years on site and 2 winters in the mud….

Many solutions were bespoke due to the nature of the project and had to be nutted out with the resident engineer and the contractor….As I always say in these posts, collaboration is eveything on a construction project.

🚂The Roundhouse (grade 2 listed) was built in 1847 and it started its days as a railway shed to remove clinker from locomotive fireboxes and carry out maintenance and repair. The locomotives would then be turned on a giant turntable, hence the building’s unmistakable circular shape.

🎸The building has had a colourful history and has been adapted for many differing uses. It was a well-known music venue in the 1960s where Pink Floyd and The Doors both performed…the memory of those days inspired the conversion to a modern-day performing arts complex.

If you are curious about The Roundhouse, check out my interview with Marcus Davey, the CEO on our website. I have put the link in the comments below.
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So the key challenge in a renovation project is to bring the history of the building to life through a renovation that respects the historic elements and at the same time reduces energy use and attracts more members or better tenants.

If you want to find out how e mail me at graham@grahamfordarchitects.com or DM me.

PS What is your biggest challenge when it comes to starting a renovation project?

Graham was the project architect for John McAslan and Partners for 3 years and was based 50% of his time on site working closely with the resident engineer during the construction phase of this project.