Orleans House Gallery

Heritage and Arts

From a dilapidated and nearly forgotten jewel, hidden by the River Thames in Twickenham, to a thriving hub of arts exhibitions, classes and events. Michael Kaner (initially with Patel Taylor Architects) and then Kaner Olette have overseen the enacting of a masterplan over the course of twenty years and multiple phases.

Working with conservation architects, Donald Insall Associates, the degraded Octagon Room has been meticulously restored. A new north wing replaces the poor 1960s extension and the original west wing refurbished to maximise utility for the gallery, whilst minimising any potential for harming the Grade I listed building. Further to the north, the stables were given a new life as a café, and the coach house an exemplar space for arts education and events.

The masterplan is intended to reinstate a new logic to the layout of the site (after the loss of the main house in 1926 for gravel extraction) centred around the beautifully restored James Gibbs designed Octagon Room. The Gallery now serves as a beacon of art and culture for west London.

  • Completed: 2019
    Location: Twickenham, London
    Context: Grade 1 listed; Octagon Room built in 1721 to designs by James Gibbs; Main House demolished in 1926; Conservation area

    Client: London Borough of Richmond upon Thames
    Funder: National Lottery Heritage Fund
    Conservation Architect on Octagon Room: Donald Insall Associates
    Structural Engineer: The Morton Partnership
    Services Engineer: Martin Thomas Associates
    Project Manager: Glevum Consulting
    Quantity Surveyor: PT Projects
    Exhibition Designer: ZMMA
    Landscape Architect: Allen Scott
    Main Contractor: Quinn London
    Photography: Richard Chivers and Morley Von Sternberg

    Awards: Georgian Group Awards shortlisted; Arts Fund Prize Finalist

    Publications: Architects Journal; Countrylife

  • "Working with Michael Kaner of Kaner Olette (and previously with Patel Taylor) on three stages of development at Orleans House Gallery has created a holistic seamless vision. Their contemporary interventions are practical, well-designed, well-made from quality materials and are sympathetic to the historical listed site. "

    Rachel Tranter - Head of Arts, Orleans House Gallery

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