Church Mount commencement

Works have commenced in earnest this week on the refurbishment and extension of a 4,600sqft, 3-storey 1930s residential property in the northern end of the Hampstead Garden Suburb.  Originally designed by Morris de Metz in 1936, the property has been altered a number of times from its initial configuration.  The refurbishment will see the interior transformed with respect to its Art Deco origins and the extension of the upper two floors to the rear will enable the layout to be replanned more effectively. 

Stay tuned for site photos as the 9-month contract progresses.

Happy Birthday Dreamland!

The seminal Grade II* Listed Dreamland Cinema in Margate, designed by Iles, Leathart & Granger, is 80 years old this year.  To mark this anniversary, its current custodians - Thanet District Council (TDC) - organised a projection of the Greta Garbo film ‘The Painted Veil’ (the first feature-length film to be screened at the cinema in 1935) onto the side wall of the cinema building this evening.  Despite the general lack of PR for the event, short notice and low temperature there was a good turn out of Margatians, excited at this signalling prospect of the resurrection of a much loved Margate icon. 

TDC compulsory purchased the building in September 2013 and exciting plans are afoot to return this beautiful example of Art Deco architecture to its innovatory 1930s elegance.  It has been my favourite building in Margate since first visiting the town and I have long hoped for its future to involve returning it to its past and original ‘Program'.  

The Dreamland cinema, taking the name of the amusement park behind (which was itself named after the Coney Island attraction), was inspired by German cinema design (such as Titania-Palast in Berlin) and demonstrates Expressionist and Art Deco styles. The tower, with projecting fin detail which bears the building name, is particularly refined and highly effective as a prominent device on the primary approach route in and out of the town.  This design apparently proved influential on the design of subsequent Odeon cinemas and became an attraction in its own right when built, much as the Turner Contemporary is today.  It is assertively and unapologetically modern, in the context of its Georgian neighbours, with streamlining details showing off its technological influences and bold signage elegantly integrated into its architecture.  It represents glamour and social progress, while also advertising the amusement park that is approached under its 2,200-seat auditorium.  Its prominence on the Margate seafront remains today, despite the unsympathetic alterations of its more recent past.  I very much look forward to seeing 'The Painted Veil' at Dreamland again, hopefully inside the warmth and opulence of a restored auditorium next time!

Sea Change

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This weekend Margate played host to a number of remarkable arts events, including the 'Space Interrupted' exhibition at Limbo and the rather brilliant 'Blushing Pavilion' installation, a collaboration between architect Studio Sam Causer and Colombian Artists Vividero Colectivo.

My personal highlight was the 'Sea Change: Entrepreneurial Journeys' talks, hosted by- and marking the pre-launch of- the Resort Studios' new Creative Hub.  The intention was to showcase "Margate’s place in the entrepreneurial journey of local and national creative start-ups."  It was truly inspiring.

The title was apt: Sea change means "a profound or notable transformation," a term that originally appeared in Shakespeare's 'The Tempest', and is often used to mean a metamorphosis or alteration.  This encapsulates Margate's culture-led coastal regeneration, as the town is becoming increasingly popular for those in the creative sector looking for a new unencumbered way of working.  I am excited to be a very tiny part of this.

The speakers, Stephen Bass (founder of the incredible record label Moshi Moshi Music); Zoe Murphy (a really rather talented lady who was selling her screen printed furniture to Liberty in her early twenties); Emrys Plant (Resort founding member, Canterbury Christ Church University lecturer and founder of clothing label Crowther/Plant); and Dom Bridges (the founder of the very brilliant Haeckels wild fragrance and skincare brand), were united in their humility.  Common to all talks was the simple mantra of how honesty and integrity is the foundation of their success, alongside an ethical entrepreneurial spirit spurred by hard work, perseverance and dedication to an ideology.  All four speakers were connected in their commitment to excellence and the enjoyment of what they do.  And they do it very well indeed.

This well spent afternoon reminded me once again of what attracted me to this wonderful town, and how it continues to inspire me everyday. Margate is full of many such businesses, entrepreneurs and creatively brilliant people.  It is hard not to be motivated by it. 

It's about time...

It took a while to find the time, but at last the website is here.  Look out for regular updates on projects, miscellany and some professional photography.  Thanks for visiting!

“You can’t stay in your corner of the forest waiting for others to come to you.
You have to go to them sometimes.”

— AA Milne