Praise for Restoration of Former Sanderson Wallpaper Factory
Historic England has praised the restoration of Grade II* listed Voysey House in Chiswick, as Sanderson returns to their former wallpaper factory building.
The former Sanderson wallpaper factory on Barley Mow Passage is a local landmark which has been sensitively renovated by dMFK Architects for Dorrington PLC.
Nearly a century after leaving, Sanderson is now set to return to Voysey House as tenants.
dMFK and Dorrington’s work on Voysey House is both subtle yet transformational.
A unique Voysey building
The Sanderson wallpaper factory in Chiswick opened in 1879, with Voysey House built as part of an expansion in 1902.
The company was founded in 1860 by Arthur Sanderson (1829 to 1882), who began importing French wallpapers before building his own premises for wallpaper printing by machine and by hand. Sanderson was a key employer in the area, with over 1,000 staff members at its peak.
It is the only commercial building designed by celebrated architect CFA Voysey. The 5-storey structure was converted into offices following a fire in 1928, and piecemeal refurbishments followed over the years.
Dorrington purchased Voysey House in 2020 with an aspiration to revive the Arts and Crafts building and reduce its carbon emissions.
The project team carried out a careful and considered pre-application consultation process with Historic England and Hounslow Council which helped hone the conservation-led proposals before listed building consent and planning permission was granted in 2021.
“Voysey House has been a collaborative journey with Historic England and the wider client design team to help restore this important local landmark to reflect CFA Voysey’s original intent.
“Productive consultation and discussions at design stage and their progressive approaches to proposals to upgrade fenestration, energy performance and accessibility have been explored and implemented to offer meaningful improvement and longevity to this important building.”
Joshua Scott, Director at dMFK Architects
Restoration and renovation
As part of the works, non-original existing windows have been replaced with ultra-thin 7.7 millimetre double glazing set within steel reproductions of the original frames.
In addition to restoring the original glazing pattern and re-introducing a dark green frame colour identified by paintwork analysis, this has reduced the building’s U Value by over 50% and enabled the historic structure to achieve an EPC rating of A.
Restoring the façade to its former glory involved the meticulous replacement and repair of the building’s striking original white glazed bricks, Staffordshire blue bricks and Portland stone dressing.
“dMFK and Dorrington’s work on Voysey House is both subtle yet transformational. Engaging with Historic England at pre-application stage offered a constructive voice to help finesse a strong scheme to revitalise the Grade II* listed building, a local landmark in a conservation area.
“From the replacement of windows to reinstate the original glazing pattern and dark green frame colour, and introduce new energy-efficient glass, to the relocation of services to open up the interior, and the intricate task of cleaning and repairing brickwork, the team have produced a scheme to be proud of. By adapting historic buildings appropriately, we can reduce carbon emissions, improve quality of life and nurture the skills needed for a green economy.
“Sanderson’s return to Voysey House is an exciting full-circle moment, demonstrating the value historic places have in our national story.”
Christopher Costelloe, Development Advice Team Leader at Historic England
New showroom, archive and office
Voysey House’s original occupants, now known as Sanderson Design Group, left the premises following a fire in the neighbouring building in 1928.
In 2024, Sanderson will be moving back in, with the carefully restored Arts and Crafts building accommodating their wallpaper showroom on the ground floor, the Sanderson and Morris & Co. archive on the porthole-lit third storey, and Grade A office space on the second and fourth floors.
