06
feature
the works, kent
the extension rises between the building’s central buttresses, creating a tapered, sculptural profile. A slim light slot divides the new volume, echoing the original rhythms of the façade and allowing daylight to pour deep into the upper floor. Clad in Corten steel, the extension brings
a contemporary industrial material into dialogue with the robust nineteenth- century masonry. As it weathers, the steel will develop a rich patina of earthy tones, harmonising with the stone and brick below. This evolving surface is a reminder that historic buildings are never static: they adapt, acquire new layers, and reinterpret their identities for future generations. From the river, the extension appears as though extruded from the original structure, replacing the long-lost chimney with a new architectural marker. It draws the eye upward, recalibrating the proportions of the building and asserting its renewed purpose as a place of design, engineering and craft. Inside The Works, Felix Lewis Architecture
& Interiors have transformed what was once a dark, cellular interior into a light-filled, flexible workspace. Glazed partitions open up long views through the building, enabling staff to feel connected across floors and spaces. Steel framed windows frame sweeping vistas of the river, linking the workplace to its setting and providing moments of calm reflection. The interiors strike a careful balance between contemporary clarity and historical resonance. A warm palette of sandy hues recalls the sun- baked tones of Egyptian temple paintings, while bespoke glass partitions etched with hieroglyph-inspired motifs tell a dual story: that of the Nile, whose floods nourished ancient civilisation, and the Medway, whose seasonal swells have shaped this site. These subtle gestures embed the building’s identity within a larger narrative of rivers, resilience and renewal. An executive suite is located in the new rooftop storey, commanding panoramic views across the Medway valley. These spaces embody the company’s ethos of precision and performance – functional yet beautiful, understated yet distinctive. Flood resilience was not an afterthought, but a central design driver. The ground floor has been tanked and finished with robust terrazzo and tiling, ensuring that water ingress causes minimal disruption. Electrical systems have been raised safely above potential flood levels, while exposed concrete detailing at the
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