The Science and Industry Museum will reopen Power Hall: The Andrew Law Gallery
The Quentin Blake Centre for Illustration
A 400 year old, Grade II-listed pumping station has been transformed into a major new cultural centre celebrating the wonderful world of illustration.
Key information
Architect
Tim Ronalds Architects
Client
Quentin Blake Centre for Illustration
Value
£12.5M
Year of Completion
2026
Location
London
Sector
Services
Historic water works transformed into a modern art gallery
A Grade II-listed, 17th century Thames Water water works in East London has become the new home for the House of Illustration, creating stunning gallery spaces to exhibit the works of Quentin Blake and other illustrators. The oldest of the many buildings on the site was part of a windmill dating back to 1707, which has now been converted into a gallery space for temporary exhibitions.
Working closely with Tim Ronalds Architects, we designed the MEP services, sustainability strategy and lighting for the complex of historic buildings.
Well thought-out, innovative solutions were needed to contain the ventilation systems that maintain gallery conditions that meet conservation standards for delicate artwork. Building fabric upgrades reduce heat loss in a way that suits the architectural vision for the space, and meet the requirements for listed buildings without detracting from the historic aesthetic.
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The light and airy shop including carefully positioned skylights to open up the space while avoiding overheating through solar gain.
© Hufton+Crow
Gallery space with concealed environmental control and carefully designed lighting, to preserve the delicate artworks on display.
© Hufton+Crow
Original building fabric from the historic buildings forms part of the museum shop.
© Hufton+Crow
A light and airy cafe space is home to a new artwork by Quentin Blake, created specially for the museum.
© Hufton+Crow
© Hufton+Crow
Energy efficiency in an historic context
The design will reduce operational carbon emissions by over 50% while retaining the original character and appearance of the buildings. To achieve this, the project has a minimal amount of new build, has retained materials for reuse where possible, utilises an air source heat pump for heating and cooling generation, natural ventilation where practical, and insulation to reduce energy consumption.
Efficient heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems have been designed to maintain temperature and humidity within the strict GIS (Government Indemnity Scheme) conditions required for the gallery spaces, thus preserving the artworks while making the spaces comfortable for visitors.
Air supply and extract is concealed behind one-sided wall-mounted or floor grilles, so it isn't obvious to visitors that these systems are working hard behind the scenes.
Newly installed, high-efficiency, electrically driven air-source heat pumps will reduce annual CO2 emissions and energy consumption by around 50% compared to a traditional gas boiler system. The new gallery spaces meet the strict environmental conditions required to display and preserve watercolour artwork, avoiding any moisture build-up in the thick external walls, and conserving the rich heritage of the site.
The gallery lighting was carefully designed and analysed to maximise display flexibility while protecting the artworks. Curved tracks reflecting the gallery geometry and recycled aluminium fittings were used, in line with the project's aim to reuse and retain materials wherever possible.
