Old Marylebone Town Hall, NW1 London, UK
Sheppard Robson and ID:SR’s repurposing of the Old Marylebone Town Hall for the London Business included refurbishing the building’s civic rooms. The design of the newly restored Westminster Register Office – a marriage of old and new – revolves around the sensitive reuse and enhancing of the original buildings, with the interior design heightening the celebratory atmosphere of the spaces.
The seven marriage rooms of varying sizes follow the themes of silver, rose gold and gold – the precious metals associated with weddings rings. This is captured in the design through the mirrors, fabrics and also the light fittings that range from simple contemporary circular pendants, again a nod to the design of wedding rings, to more elaborate chandeliers.
The faithful restoration of the building involved preserving as much as possible of its original fabric. The timber panels – which characterise the interior spaces – have been restored to enhance the diamond motif in the grain of the wood. The floors throughout the spaces had been covered but now the parquet and oak strip flooring have been revealed and restored.
On the marble staircase, the two skylights – previously boarded-up – have now been uncovered and fully restored, allowing natural light to fill the space as the original design had intended. The exterior stonework, steps and portico have also been restored , transforming dirty stone into a luminous material, which complements the newly gilded inscription above the entrance.
- Client
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- Westminster City Council
- Completion
- 2017
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