Vivienne Westwood Studios

Location:

Battersea, London

Client:

AndArchitects

Services:

• Strategy Setting
• Performance Modelling
• Planning Support

The Project:

KLH has been involved in this project over the past few years, with more clearly defined plans starting to take shape from the Autumn of 2024. 

Projects like this typically involve demolishing existing structures and constructing new office floors. However, this project focuses on the retrofit and extension of Westwood Studios in Battersea, London, a significant heritage site in the fashion industry with the main goal of preserving as much of the existing materials on site as possible, reducing the environmental impact.

The project takes a different approach by embracing the cultural significance of the Westwood Studios. Instead of replacing the existing building, the aim is to preserve its materials and aesthetics, while expanding on them to reflect the building’s evolution over time. The design goes beyond the typical office layout, creating a space that fosters collaboration.

A key aspect of the project was the integration of off-site timber structures using Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT) slabs within an existing building context, which required resolving structural, fire, and interface uncertainties not covered by standard guidance.

The project also investigated the feasibility of reusing on-site materials, including bricks, blockwork, and internal fittings. KLH collaborated with circular economy experts at Reusefully to conduct building audits and develop methodologies to assess, test, and retain materials and building elements.