BOWER HOUSE
The sensitive extension and refurbishment of a Palladian Grade I listed building into a large educational facility, Havering-Atte-Bower
This purpose built teaching facility is currently under construction within the grounds of a Grade I listed manor house on the Essex borders in Romford, London.
Set within the Metropolitan Green Belt and a designated conservation area, the project represents a significant and long anticipated enhancement to a residential training centre.
Following a lengthy and complex planning process, full permission was granted in 2023. Since then, the design has been technically developed, and construction is now well underway.
The scheme will deliver much needed modern teaching, dining, and support spaces, seamlessly integrated into this sensitive historic landscape.
OUR
APPROACH
The brief called for a design that was both transformative and respectful, creating flexible, modern teaching spaces while carefully protecting the character of the site.
With the site’s Grade I listed status, its Green Belt location, and conservation area protections, the project came with significant challenges. It required a sensitive and creative response.
We started by looking at how the site had changed over time. In the past, the western wall of the historic walled garden had been removed, and the ground levels had been altered. These changes became a way forward: we designed a partially underground building that fits into the slope of the land, allowing us to rebuild the garden wall and keep the visual impact low while making the most of the space available.
This approach lets the new building follow the site’s natural shape.
The first floor dining room opens onto a green roof terrace, with wide views over London and a lake to the west.
Below the terrace, the teaching spaces are filled with natural light thanks to full height glazing along their length. This keeps the interiors bright and open while blending the building into the landscape.
The teaching suite is designed for complete flexibility. It can be used as four individual classrooms for up to 150 people, or opened up into one large space for up to 800.
The building also brings back the lost western edge of the walled garden. This space is now being carefully replanted and restored as a peaceful, beautifully landscaped courtyard, helping to reconnect the site with its original character and purpose.
PROJECT
GALLERY
DESIGN HIGHLIGHTS
The landscape led integration of the building, along with its subterranean and flexible teaching spaces, creates a unique and respectful response to the brief. The restoration of the walled garden not only completes the historic enclosure but also reintroduces a sense of order, tranquillity, and character that had been lost over time, giving back to the setting something of its original spirit and purpose
STATUS
Following years of careful negotiation, the project achieved full planning consent in 2023 and has since progressed through technical design to the construction phase, where it is now on site and being realised. An exciting milestone for the Trust’s teaching mission and the future of this historic setting.