‘How much can you change something?’ That is the question designer Jonathan Tuckey grapples with every time his multidisciplinary firm approaches a new architectural venture that requires a modern intervention to a historical setting. Drawing on this experience and showcasing his impressive body of work, Tuckey has just launched ‘Building on the Built’, a retrospective exhibition on the firm's growing portfolio.
Known for his context-sensitive touch, Tuckey is widely acclaimed for his knack for breathing new life to old, tired or historically sensitive properties. The exhibition, which was inspired by Joseph Gandy’s painting ‘1818 Public and Private Buildings Executed by Sir John Soane’, covers a wide array of the practice's projects through their models, regardless of scale or status.
Calling on the contrasting philosophies of Eugène Viollet-le-Duc and John Ruskin, Tuckey approaches each renovation by applying a combination of their ideologies to his work. Viollet-le-Duc, believed that restoration should simply – and exclusively – be a delicate reconstruction of the building’s original features. Meanwhile, Ruskin’s position was that modern intervention is pivotal, when working on an existing structure. Tuckey's work balances the two, exploring the limits of when one should start and the other begin.
''Building on the Built' features projects such as ongoing renovation of a Victorian primary school in Westminster; the interior architecture of the neighbouring Gasholders development, which overlooks the exhibition’s central Kings Cross location; and Shadow House, the transformation of a Grade II listed chapel into a contemporary family home.
A series of breakfast talks and evening lectures, exploring the challenges and opportunities the practice encounters, will offer special insight into how it tackles a regenerative project.
The exhibition narrative showcases Tuckey’s eye for detail and ability to envision and introduce new architectural elements to existing structures, while paying due respect to history and the surrounding urban context.
The show features a selection of models from the studio's large portfolio of historic renovations and modern interventions to existing buildings
Projects include the ongoing renovation of a Victorian primary school in Westminster; the interior architecture of the neighbouring Gasholders development in Kings Cross; and Shadow house, the transformation of a Grade II listed chapel into a modern family home
The exhibition was inspired by Joseph Gandy’s painting ‘1818 Public and Private Buildings Executed by Sir John Soane’
INFORMATION
'Building on the Built' will run until May 18. For more information visit the exhibition's website
ADDRESS
6-8 Stable Street
London
N1C 4AB
-
The bespoke Jaguar E-Type GTO melds elements from every era of the classic sports carECD Automotive Design’s one-off commission caters to a client who wanted to combine the greatest hits of Jaguar’s E-Type along with modern conveniences and more power
-
Casa Sanlorenzo debuts in Venice as a new hub for contemporary artThe luxury yachting leader unveils a stunning new space in a palazzo restored by Piero Lissoni – where art, innovation, and sustainability come together
-
Once vacant, London's grand department stores are getting a new lease on lifeThanks to imaginative redevelopment, these historic landmarks are being rebonr as residences, offices, gyms and restaurants. Here's what's behind the trend
-
Once vacant, London's grand department stores are getting a new lease on life
Thanks to imaginative redevelopment, these historic landmarks are being rebonr as residences, offices, gyms and restaurants. Here's what's behind the trend
-
Lego and Serpentine celebrate World Play Day with a new pavilionLego and Serpentine have just unveiled their Play Pavilion; a colourful new structure in Kensington Gardens in London and a gesture that celebrates World Play Day (11 June)
-
Inside Abbey Road's refresh: touring the legendary studio's new interiorAbbey Road gets an interior refresh by Threefold Architects, bringing the legendary London recording studio in tune with the 21st century
-
The Serpentine Pavilion 2025 is ready to visit, ‘an exhibition you can use’The Serpentine Pavilion 2025 is ready for its public opening on 6 June; we toured the structure and spoke to its architect, Marina Tabassum
-
A meticulously crafted artist’s space in east London evokes the area’s long creative historyMaich Swift Architects’ artist’s space has radically reconfigured a Victorian terraced house, transforming it into a contemporary live/work interior
-
Welcome to Omved Gardens, north London’s hidden green oasisThis secret space in Highgate is relaunching as a vibrant community hub with new spaces, activities and exhibitions
-
This contemporary cabin cantilevers over a Scottish lochRock Cove, Cameron Webster Architects’ contemporary cabin in Argyll, Scotland, makes the most of its wild setting
-
What to see at the London Festival of Architecture 2025June is all about the London Festival of Architecture 2025; we browsed the over 450-event rich programme for its highlights, so you won't have to
