Conserving a Grade II* listed House in Chelsea, London
Built within King Henry VIII’s Chelsea Manor Garden, Tudor House is a Grade II* listed building. It was built in 1717 and was Dante Gabriel Rossetti’s house and studio for 25 years. Over time it had been much altered, including by Sir Edwin Lutyens who, in 1905, added an attic storey and replaced the unsatisfactory principal staircase. Tudor House represents a seminal project for RMA, throwing up many problems of conservation philosophy and determining the practice’s significant change of direction into the field of conservation of all types: stone, brick, joinery, glass, plaster, lead, lime mortar and paint. Repairs to it also includes possibly the first use of pure lime in London since before WWII.
Front elevation – after
Rear Elevation – after
Geometric staircase – after
Geometric staircase – after
Principal Staircase – after
Interior view of the First Floor Front Room: Painting by Rossetti
First Floor Front room – after
Second Floor Front Room – after