Powerhouse

Powerhouse, Liverpool
Studio Three Architects

Emerging from the disused shell of a Victorian power station, these five new dwellings in a key conservation area of Liverpool provide an unexpected delight.

For more than a decade the building has remained unused, a brooding brick mass on a very narrow street surrounded by small terraced cottage properties. It took the foresight and risk of the owners Justin and Aaron Davies to realise the potential embodied within what many had dismissed as potential demolition material.

Following a series of feasibility studies, the brothers appointed Studio Three Architects to apply their unique skills to unlock this tricky structure.

An engaging design process followed, that included the close involvement of the local authority Conservation Officer. The use of physical and computer models helped to develop the spatial relationships in and around the existing structure, and helped to demonstrate how the existing building could be best adapted.

Although paper records of the original building have not been found, the “Powerhouse” in Gateacre appears to have been built for the Liverpool District Lighting Company in 1898. Most power supply stations at the time used steam driven dynamos to power underground mains distribution, with accumulators (or early batteries) used when demand was low.

The building had been used for variety of purposes over its life prior to development to residential use, with a series of outbuildings and connections, many of which were demolished some time ago. The three key volumes are similar in construction but vary significantly in dimensions (both vertically and horizontally). This combined with the scarred and solid elevations to the north and west presented a significant design challenge.

The built scheme is deceptively simple: it combines ultra contemporary north and west “wrap” elevations with a sensitive restoration and re-adaption of the south and east elevations. Internally we have taken advantage of both the existing brick (both red and glazed) and timber materials – exposing them in conjunction with the existing structure where possible. We have also maximised the use of natural light – especially from above where the lantern lights have been re-established as per the original intention.

The interiors are unmistakably modern, but they also provide key references to the historical fabric. Junctions between new and old are carefully expressed, and honesty is applied to where the exposed fabric has been damaged in the past. Structural damage was of course carefully addressed and repaired, but where there is superficial scarring or staining, we have sought to incorporate this as a contrast to the smooth neutral new walls.

Each duplex apartment has its own character and set of unique spaces – whilst the palette is the same, we wanted to accentuate these differences and create memorable spaces rather then “identikit” apartments.

Although just completed, the apartments have already generated substantial interest from professionals and passersby. This part of the Gateacre conservation area has been revitalised with a building that escaped demolition to reveal the true quality of Victorian craft and quality in the industrial age.