Steel window renovation specialist, ASWS, is able to look back with pride on its contribution to ensuring one of London’s most notable landmarks is now a leading mixed-used destination on the capital’s riverscape. An industrial edifice once faced with demolition, the building has been fully repurposed, with new homes, office space, over 100 shops, restaurants, bars and leisure venues.
The decades long transformation of Battersea Power Station has been one of Europe’s largest redevelopments, and has been heralded a huge success both architecturally and from a conservation point of view following the landmark opening to the public for first time in history in October 2022. The project has been brought to fruition by its shareholders and Battersea Power Station Development Company (BPSDC), with the construction manager MACE, and renowned architects, WilkinsonEyre leading on the design team.
London-based ASWS was involved at various stages of the project going back to the Millennium, carrying out initial condition surveys both inside and outside the Grade II* listed landmark. ASWS was also tasked with restoring steel windows and other architectural metalwork in other locations within the building, such as the iconic Control Room A, which looks out over the vast Turbine Hall A, that first produced electricity in 1933.
Chris Davies is the Associate Director at WilkinsonEyre who oversaw the fenestration work across the redevelopment of the power station; and who was responsible for bringing ASWS on board to provide its expertise in the restoration of metal windows. Chris commented, “Being such a high profile building, the original construction of Battersea Power Station was fairly well documented; including what was published in architectural journals of the day. Battersea Power Station has been such an icon in popular culture, we were able to review old films and television programmes where the building has been shown.”
“While the window sections themselves were not in particularly bad condition, other metal components had suffered severe corrosion. A lot of the metal paneling had to be replaced and we brought ASWS in as a specialist back in 2014 – originally to conduct a thorough survey and then, later, as a sub-contractor to one of the larger contractors. Overall, we are very pleased with all of the work that has been carried out on the windows.”
When it came to matching the original colour of the faceted six-bay window in Control Room A, ASWS was referred to an episode of The Sweeney called ‘Country Boy’, where the Flying Squad make enquiries at the former working power station. Having been shot-blasted and protected with a corrosion inhibiting primer, the old mid-Universal suite sections were hand painted in what became known as Sweeney Grey, while ASWS also had mastic produced to match.
The company additionally had to call on the skills of its glass supplier to produce sections of laminated safety glass to replace the original glazing, which featured varying curves both on plan and elevation. ASWS further showed its experience and initiative by deciding to make timber formers to match the curves of the very thin and badly rusted steel panels which infilled the area below the windows which later required replacement.
ASWS’ Contracts Director, Kris Bennell, comments: “Our involvement at Battersea Power Station provides some proud memories for us as a family business that has been specialising in metal window repairs for three generations.”
“Our history with the project goes back to when my father, Steven was part of the team who surveyed all of the steel windows for the previous developer using a 62 metre tall Bronco. Our operatives were tasked with demounting the massive cast bronze doors on the Directors’ Entrance, where each leaf weighs 1.5 tonnes. We also went on to produce new room dividers and bathroom screens for the show apartments.”
ASWS has a long track record of working with property owners as well as leading contractors and consultants on conservation projects across the country. Often progressing from being called upon to carry out condition surveys – which are used for obtaining planning permission or listed building consent – before being chosen to carry out repair and replica refurbishment work.
