The Pump House, Hammersmith

Breathing new life into an industrial landmark

An award-winning residential scheme that carefully adapts and extends a Victorian pumping station into distinctive riverside homes.

Located on a constrained site between the River Thames and the Great West Road, The Pump House is a sensitive yet bold residential development that combines heritage-led adaptation with contemporary housing.

LBY Architects were appointed by St James Group to deliver a complex brief: retain and convert a disused locally listed pumping station, integrate affordable housing, and resolve the challenges of infrastructure, noise, and restricted access.

Modern multi-story apartment view of The Pump House with wooden and brick exterior, balconies, glass windows, and a landscaped front yard with a small tree, sidewalk, and parking lot.

Adaptation Meets Innovation

The completed scheme comprises:

  • 43 apartments within the restored and extended Victorian pumping station

  • 25 new-build affordable homes on site

  • Carefully landscaped communal spaces and private courtyards

The pumping station was retained and refurbished, with lightweight new additions introduced to complement the original structure. New openings were sensitively inserted and existing features restored or reinterpreted with contemporary detailing.

Urban Complexity, Architectural Clarity

Set against a major highway on one side and the Thames on the other, the scheme was developed in close coordination with Thames Water to safeguard the site’s remaining operational infrastructure while unlocking the site’s residential potential.

The new-build elements are visually distinct yet respectful, featuring:

  • Clean lines and robust materials

  • A palette that echoes the industrial character of the original building

  • Clear separation between old and new without visual discord

The adjoining affordable housing block is designed to complement the original Pump House building, providing generous contemporary housing with a playful zinc and timber clad façade enclosing a protective corridor to the roadside.

A shot between the two residential buildings at The Pump House with a small lawn in front, some trees, and clear blue sky.
Close-up of a building facade with light wood siding and black metal balcony railings, with shadowed recessed balconies.
The Pump House interior staircase with metal railings attached to a beige brick work walls and flashes of the dark Green tile highlights.
An external view of the front of the The Pump House building with the historic Victorian brick facade on the left and a modern glass and wood addition on the right, surrounded by parked cars.
A side view of the modern side of the The Pump House multi-story building with white and black exterior, wood accents, and a gated entrance, under a clear blue sky.
A view of the The Pump House extension with glass windows and black balconies, featuring wood paneling exterior, situated in a landscaped area with trees and a fence.

The details

PROJECT OVERVIEW

Client: St James Group
Location: Hammersmith, London
Completion: 2007
Building Type: Commercial Residential & Affordable Housing
Contractor: St James Homes
Value: £12m

Photographs: Morley von Sternberg

APPROACH & INFLUENCE

Project Type: Heritage housing regeneration

Design Approach: Retention and extension, riverside context, adaptive reuse

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