The Watchtower Building
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Elevation to the airfield
Acanthus LW Architects (website) Download Original
Removal and reconstruction of a listed 1915 building that formed part of the Hendon London Aerodrome
Formed of an office, drawing office and watchtower, the building sat at the centre of a complex that Claude Grahame White intended to become the country’s principal airport.
The building was listed and was therefore recorded and a conditions schedule of the remaining elements carried out prior to its demolition. The building was then reconstructed 200m away within the RAF museum grounds, adjacent to a previously relocated original hanger building.
The reconstruction restored and reinstated many of the original components including the original steel frame to the rear, most internal and external joinery and fenestration and the external stone detailing.
A number of components lost over time were reconstructed to their original design based on photographic information only, including the watchtower itself, Claude Grahame White’s office & the glazed balcony canopy.
Data
- Begun: Feb 2010
- Completed: Dec 2010
- Sector: Arts and culture
- Total cost: £1.5M
- Procurement: Design and build type contract
- Address: RAF Museum London , Grahame Park Way , Collingdale, London, NW9 5LL, United Kingdom
Professional Team 
- Architect: Acanthus LW Architects
- Client: St George
- Structural engineer: Alan Baxter & Associates
- Services engineer: Crofton Design
- Main contractor: Ardmore Construction