Boston Manor

The Boston Manor House project rescued an ‘at risk’ Grade I-listed manor house, enabling total restoration and conservation of the historic fabric, interior and exterior. Commissioned by the London Borough of Hounslow, and supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, our task was to revitalise and reimagine the house from a former neglected private dwelling into a sustainable heritage asset that serves the local community and has a renewed relevance and purpose for the 21st century. Built in 1622, Boston Manor House is the remarkable survivor of a Jacobean manorial estate with a long and varied history of private residents. From the early 20th century, the house gradually slid into a state of disrepair, and with no heir to maintain it, was sold in 1924, eventually ending up on the Heritage at Risk Register. The project was delivered in two phases: The first phase of the project saw the restoration of the historic 17th century timber roof structure, which included splicing-in with new oak where necessary to match the existing, in order to ensure structural stability was secured whilst maintaining the historic integrity of the fabric. The second phase included the conservation and re-presentation of the house and service wing, as well as the construction of the new lift and the refurbishment and fit-out of the cafe and visitor facilities. The Victorian service wing was transformed into lettable makerspaces, now occupied by the Jimmy Choo Academy. The works were underpinned by a robust conservation philosophy, based on extensive research and a thorough understanding of the building’s historical significance. The rooms were revived, brought back to life using traditional techniques driven by discoveries made on site. Some of the rooms have been restored based on expert analysis of archaeological evidence hidden under layers of paint and plasterboard, and, where none has survived, on contemporary sources to inform reconstruction. Interpretation throughout the house tells the story of the 400-year history of the building and inhabitants. Boston Manor House has been transformed into a freely-accessible and interactive space that offers community-led exhibitions, guided walks, volunteering opportunities, school visits and public art to the local community and visitors, making the site more resilient and sustainable while enhancing the social, cultural, and economic character of the community. Through a programme of careful restoration and sensitive adaptation, together with the vision and ambition of the London Borough of Hounslow and National Heritage Funding, Boston Manor House has set a new benchmark for delivering relevance, financial viability, and public engagement to heritage buildings.