Green light flashes on Ealing Studios’ expansion
The iconic Ealing Studios in west London has secured planning approval for a major expansion, which will add more than 50,000 sq ft of new facilities including a purpose-built, net zero-carbon sound stage.
The plans, just approved by Ealing Council, include a new 14,000 sq ft sound stage, 10,000 sq ft of workshops and 35,000 sq ft of office space.
The new buildings will honour the distinctive Art Deco aesthetic of the original 1930’s, Grade II-listed sound stages. The architects are Create Design, led by Matthew Williams.
Ealing Studios’ new development qualifies under the Net Zero Carbon Scheme by using air source heat pumps and photovoltaic renewable technologies, by which it achieves 100% reduction in regulated carbon emissions.
The development includes £20 million of local investment and aims to maintain Ealing Studios’ reputation as a state-of-the-art facility able to house feature films and HETV dramas.
Barnaby Thompson, partner at Ealing Studios, said: “Since the invention of film, Ealing Studios has been at the forefront of every new media revolution – and this is the next stage in our evolution, responding to a need for greater studio space as well as recognising the need to become a more sustainable industry.
“We are thrilled to be celebrating our 120th birthday by building what we believe is the first Net Zero Carbon stage in the UK. We want the studio to be a home for talent for generations to come.”
Ealing Studios was the home of films such as The Ladykillers, Whiskey, Galore! and Kind Hearts and Coronets, and later classics such as Bridget Jones and Notting Hill. More recent productions to have been filmed there include Darkest Hour, Downton Abbey and One Night in Soho.
Rendered image of art deco building via Create Design Ltd.
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