The Umbrella Factory

This warehouse conversion and its new extension sit at the heart of a vibrant multicultural
area in London’s East End. Over time the building has made; umbrella cases, then lampshades and finally it was used as a cloak workshop. Ultimately the express purpose of each item manufactured was to transition between two different states, in response contrasting circumstantial change.
The building was extensively reconfigured along with a double height addition concealing a hidden roof terrace to the new penthouses. The Crittall window panes appear to transition from the original fabric of the building, changing in scale and geometry as the windows ‘drift’ up across the surface of the new top floor envelope, finally breaking free, blending and disappearing into the light of the skyline.