Strawberry Hill

Peter Inskip + Peter Jenkins Architects, Twickenham, 2010

 

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The north elevation 

Ben Blossom (website)     Download Original

  • The north elevation    
  • The roofscape at Strawberry Hill    
  • Exterior shot of the new visitor cafe showing lyme plaster finish which replaces pebble dash additions    
  • View of original entrance    
  • Interior shot of visitor cafe    
  • Main staircse with reinstated carved antelope newels    
  • The great parlour     
  • The gallery     
  • The round room showing ceiling & stained glass     
  • The round room fireplace     
  • View of ground room from gallery    
  • North wall of gallery with reinstated network and mirror glass    
  • The round room window     
  • The library ceiling     
  • Ceiling decoration    
  • Site plan    
  • Ground floor plan    
  • First floor plan as proposed    
  • Western hall and stair section    

Restoration of an 18th century mock-gothic building in Twickenham

Strawberry Hill was built by Horace Walpole, driven by the desire to fabricate an ancestral home. In the two year restoration project the key decision made was to reinstate the house to its 1797 state, stripping away much of the later work.

The building has 25 show rooms on the ground and first floors, most of which having been fully restored. The top floor has also been restored and will be used for offices and staff accommodation. The roof has been extensively repaired with new lead work, re-slated with Westmoreland slate and the reinstatement of the carved oak pinnacles.

The old exterior cementitious render has been removed and replaced with a new lime ‘harling’ (lime + pebble stucco render) and lime washed to restore Strawberry Hill to its original ‘wedding cake’ appearance.

A further objective was to safeguard its fabric by providing fire protection, insulation, underfloor heating and waterproofing. This involved, where possible reinstating the original detailed construction.

Data

  • Completed: Aug 2010
  • Floor area: 1,300m2
  • Sector: Arts and culture
  • Total cost: £9M
  • Tender date: Jan 2009
  • Procurement: JCT Standard Building Contract with Quantities
  • Address: Strawberry Hill, 268 Waldegrave Road, Twickenham, TW1 4ST, United Kingdom

Professional Team