Designing Buildings - The Construction Wiki

Subjects

Edit this article

Last edited 03 Mar 2021

Phase two of the Great Western Studios

Bryden Wood, the integrated design and operations consultancy for the built environment, has been working with Great Western Studios for more than ten years. Phase 1 of their building was completed in 2009, consisting of three storeys. On 3rd November 2017, they announced that work was complete on Phase 2 of the project, which provides an additional two floors. These additional floors were constructed whilst the building remained open for business and operational.

Great Western Studios provides studio spaces for the creative industries in Notting Hill, where Paddington meets Maida Vale. The studios are nestled between the Grand Union Canal and the Westway, an elevated dual carriageway section of the A40 trunk road in west London.

The building is made up of more than 100 studios, some of which overlook the Grand Union Canal. Each workspace has a good ceiling height and polished concrete floors, as well as open plan and communal access to the garden and courtyard. All studios run round a central atrium that serves as a communal space. A gallery has housed many exhibitions by renowned artists and designers including; Darren Almond, Damien Hirst, Emily Young and Tom Dixon. Several companies are also based at Great Western Studios including; Bethan Gray (Product Designer) and Orlebar Brown (Fashion Designer)

The Alpine Group was commissioned to extend the building by two more floors, well above the busy A40 in London. The steel was erected with spider cranes, and internal staircases, walkways and balustrades were supplied as part of the service.

Paul O’Neill - Bryden Wood Architecture Board Director commenting said: “Great Western Studios is an inspirational and stimulating work environment. It has been a complex process to add a further two storeys to our Phase 1 project, with the building remaining occupied, and the site constraints of Westway and Regent's Park canal. We are delighted with how the project has progressed. The building is flooded with light, provided to the centre of the building by the internal glazed atrium, below which is home to a cafe and gallery space. We are creating additional great space to work.”

Paul O'Neill, Bryden Wood Board Director, Architecture. Paul joined Bryden Wood in 2000. He currently leads architectural and multidisciplinary design teams working on projects which are at the forefront of innovative design, and is involved in all stages of the design and construction process, from inception to completion. Paul’s design capabilities, broad knowledge of construction techniques and experience in delivering highly complex projects, have enabled the realisation of a diverse range of projects. Paul also oversees business operations, ensuring quality, efficiency and added value is delivered throughout the company. Paul has extensive knowledge of the planning system and has delivered numerous approvals for a range of clients across many sectors. This includes projects with complex phasing requirements, in terms of both future expandability and adaptability.

Bryden Wood was founded in 1995 by Mark Bryden and Martin Wood. It has grown into a 175+ strong architecture and integrated design company, whose activities span from analysis and business strategy, through architecture and engineering. The business is operated on solution based strategy and a fascination with construction methodology detail-derived aesthetic. The retained client base has increased to include many blue-chip clients across a range of sectors. Bryden Wood has become the UK leader in off-site design and systemisation and has recently entered new markets including the Far East and Africa.