infrastructure/engineering
Hunt & Steward (1894) and Astronaut Kawada (2024), 1894
The Lock House, Ranelagh Drive, TW1 1QZ
The Lock House is part of Richmond Lock & Weir, on the left bank of the Thames at Richmond. Originally home to the resident lock keeper, it is now the design studio and exhibition space of Astronaut Kawada, architects and designers. They have fully refurbished the interior of the Lock House to create a series of spaces to complement the remarkable and unique qualities of the main structure.
Richmond
Richmond
H37
External space has level access. Internal space via 3 steps, with handrails. Parking on street. Area liable to flooding at high tides.
Access and seating on quayside and internally
11:00–16:00
11:00–16:00
11:00–16:00
The Lock House is part of the Grade 2* listed Richmond Lock & Weir, on the left bank of the Thames at Richmond, which was completed in 1894 and still fully functioning. Originally home to one of the resident lock keepers, for a time it housed the river Police, but it is now the design studio and exhibition space of Astronaut Kawada, architects and designers. On the 130th anniversary of its construction, they have fully refurbished the interior of the Lock House to create a series of spaces to complement the remarkable and unique qualities of the main structure. Visitors will have the opportunity to experience the interior of the Lock House and enjoy its relationship with the main Lock & Weir structure that it is part of. Level access is available to enjoy the view from the quayside of the Lock House, while entry to the interior is via three steps.
As well as the architect’s design studio, the Lock House is also an exhibition space, within the varied volumes of the studio and the main structure of the Lock & Weir. This creates a unique space within which to present a diverse mix of creative works and related arts. Currently there is an ongoing and diverse series of collaborative exhibitions, steered by the work of Astronaut Kawada. The series looks to test and provoke the balance of influence, awareness and potential within the natural and built habitats that we share. During Open House Festival 2025, there will be a collaborative exhibition between Astronaut Kawada and photographer Tom Lee. The exhibition, explores and questions the changing landscape and treescape of the South Downs and how it influences our perception and experience of such a place and how we can choose to inhabit it. Tom's photographic work will include a 10 year study of the landscape of The South Downs, and highly detailed observations of the forest and its trees. These characteristics and influences are also expressed in the architectural work of Astronaut Kawada, through a project also located within the South Downs. Both photography and architecture look to recognise the inspiration of landscape and forest and how we choose to appreciate it, protect it and live within it.
