23 Page Projects Wetlands.qxp_Layout 1 22/01/2019 16:14 Page 11

PROJECTS Refurbishment of Wetlands, a site with industrial heritage

althamstow Wetlands is nesting of urban swifts. The boxes a series of 10 reservoirs, have sloping entrances and a small located in the Lea hole in the front to keep the nesting WValley Special areas well drained and were placed Protection Area, which provides at least 1m apart to prevent rival drinking water to 3.5 million swifts fighting. The only known Londoners. An area of Special structure of its type, ‘swift tower’ is Scientific Interest, the 211-hectare visible from across the valley, site has been transformed into one signalling repair and transformation: of Europe’s largest urban Wetland repair of civic infrastructure, nature reserves. transformation from pollution to The collaboration between ecology. , LB Waltham Forest and Wildlife Trust aimed to A LASTING PUBLIC LEGACY conserve the heritage and identity Now open to the public for the first of the site, whilst allowing free time in 150 years, Walthamstow public access to this unique disused neighbouring mill into a kitchen extension built from Brown Wetlands is a conservation and landscape of water, woods and new visitor centre and viewing Brindle facing bricks from West restoration project of unique value, marshland. platform. Midlands manufacturer, Ketley which will allow people to access its With sustainability and ecology natural and architectural heritage at the heart of the regeneration, SYMPATHETIC RESTORATION - BRICK. for many years to come. architects Witherford Watson Mann KEY ELEMENTS Known for their industrial Alex Patrick-Smith, managing worked with Kinnear Landscape Built in 1885, the old Engine House, authenticity and durability, these director of both Dreadnought Tiles Architects to deliver a unique vision, which once housed massive steam ‘Class A’ engineering bricks suited and Ketley Brick said: “ We are which included the sympathetic driven pump engines, was restored the context of the site perfectly. delighted to have manufactured the restoration and the conversion of a and converted to accommodate a Designed to contrast with the softer bricks, roof tiles and quarry tiles that Grade II listed Engine House and a café and visitor’s centre, with a brick of the existing building, the were so in keeping with the detailing of the new arches and the Victorian heritage of this site.” The English bond pattern followed the Brick Award judges described same rhythm as the original arcaded this project as “a very skilled work of brick of the adjacent north wall. refurbishment on an industrial The Engine House roof was also building.” They also remarked, “the fully restored using Dreadnoughts Wetlands centre dignifies and Brown Antique plain clay roof tiles, respects the industrial heritage of which are manufactured on the the site and transforms its same site, at the same factory as extraordinary setting.” Ketley Bricks. The interior restoration was handled with similar For more information about Ketley sensitivity, using a simple palette of Brick call telephone: 01384 78361. materials including Ketley clay Email: [email protected] quarry tiles for much of the flooring, www.ketley-brick.co.uk which combined well with the natural tones of the exposed brick and timber panelling on the walls. Integral to the restoration was the replacement of the old Engine House’s original brick chimney, a powerful industrial symbol, which was demolished in 1960. Witherford Watson Mann grafted a striking new 24m high ‘swift tower’ onto the remaining chimney plinth to serve as an ecological feature to accommodate local wildlife. Constructed from the same Brown Brindle engineering bricks, the structure tapers from 1.5 bricks thick at the bottom to one brick thick at the top, its shiny surface standing out, yet also complementing the Victorian heritage. The brickwork was left rough on the inside to provide roosting areas for swifts and bats. The tower itself incorporated 54 bespoke red clay swift boxes co- designed by Ketley and Witherford Watson Mann to encourage the

REFURBISHMENT PROJECTS, FEBRUARY 2019 23