Clandon Park

The fire entirely destroyed the roof and a considerable number of the windows. Despite extensive damage, the original 1730s exterior and brickwork remain largely intact. The interior of the house however, including its exceptional plasterwork ceilings suffered massive damage, with the near total loss of internal timber structures, and decorative elements. Only one room, the ‘Speakers Parlour’ on the first floor survives relatively unscathed.

Since our appointment and as the project has developed, in close collaboration with the National Trust and our multi-disciplinary team, we have established a vision for Clandon that focuses on allowing the use of what remains. Considerable time, care and research has been put into developing an innovative and engaging approach to conservation for Clandon that includes structural stabilisation, repair and some reinstatement, alongside new ways for visitors to access the interior. Rather than attempting to replicate the building lost to the fire, this project finds new and exciting ways to understand, conserve and curate Clandon Park in its post-fire state – providing a wholly unique kind of visitor experience.

Alongside the stabilisation and conservation of what remains, the project places new insertions inside the building to facilitate access and use.

The house’s historic plan and circulation have been used as the starting point for the new interventions. Two stairs are proposed, reinstated in the locations of the two principle historic stairs, with a lift (providing wheelchair access to all levels) placed in the position of a third historic stair. Rather than reinstating full floors, generous walkways are proposed to span across the voids, enabling circulation but also providing usable activity space (for collections displays or seating). The concept of simple timber bridges inserted into an architecturally exposed interior is expressed in the physical language of the walkways.

Pre-fire, Clandon Park was known for its richly decorated plaster ceilings, all but one of which were lost. Such ceilings were often designed and painted to give the illusion of sitting under a sky. Three roof lights are proposed in the three main volumes of the house, their shapes an abstraction of the original plasterwork geometry of the ceilings lost in the fire. They puncture through the roof surface to down-light the rooms, while also allowing views of the sky.

Materials have been proposed which are sensitive to the existing building and are familiar to its historic construction. New timber elements will be easily recognisable as contemporary interventions.

For the first time there will be public access to the roof. A roof terrace, accessed by two partially-glazed pavilions and served by an accessible WC and a small café kiosk, will provide enjoyment of sweeping views and an appreciation of the historic relationship between the house, garden and parkland; a space for pause and social interaction.