WALTHAM ABBEY ROYAL GUNPOWDER MILLS, BUILDING L157
Of the twenty listed buildings on the Royal Gunpowder Mills site, only Building L157 is Grade I Listed.
First built in approximately 1860, the building’s function was as a gunpowder incorporating mill, where the components of gunpowder where effectively mixed and cordite produced. L157 was part-building, part-machine, with a steam powered engine in its centre powering a huge driveshaft beneath the building, which in turn drove giant grinding mechanisms positioned within the flanking bay rooms to the either side. These bays were clad with de-mountable timber panels and a lightweight steel structure, with robust flanking walls between them. This was to ensure that in the event of an explosion, damage would be limited to only that bay, with the force of the explosion dissipating out through the paneled walls and roof, leaving the flanking walls intact.
Since its use as a gunpowder incorporating mill came to an end in 1945, Building L157 was used as a research facility (until 1991) and then left vacant. The building had seen a significant departure from its original construction and appearance, and in 1998/1999 a series of works took place that aimed to repair and restore the building back to its 19th century form.
The primary scope of the project was to enact essential repairs throughout the building. This included repairs to the brickwork, timber boarded veranda, and replacement of the panels that make up the West and East-facing walls. In addition, there have been upgrades to the drainage, rainwater disposal and the installation of new WC facilities. A new ramp has also been installed to improve access to and from the building.
Being Grade I listed, and in consultation with Historic England, it was agreed that despite the building having existed in many forms over the years, the truest mode of conservation in this instance would be to repair and replace elements of the building ‘like-for-like’ wherever possible, with a few details captured from original drawings.
First built in approximately 1860, the building’s function was as a gunpowder incorporating mill, where the components of gunpowder where effectively mixed and cordite produced. L157 was part-building, part-machine, with a steam powered engine in its centre powering a huge driveshaft beneath the building, which in turn drove giant grinding mechanisms positioned within the flanking bay rooms to the either side. These bays were clad with de-mountable timber panels and a lightweight steel structure, with robust flanking walls between them. This was to ensure that in the event of an explosion, damage would be limited to only that bay, with the force of the explosion dissipating out through the paneled walls and roof, leaving the flanking walls intact.
Since its use as a gunpowder incorporating mill came to an end in 1945, Building L157 was used as a research facility (until 1991) and then left vacant. The building had seen a significant departure from its original construction and appearance, and in 1998/1999 a series of works took place that aimed to repair and restore the building back to its 19th century form.
The primary scope of the project was to enact essential repairs throughout the building. This included repairs to the brickwork, timber boarded veranda, and replacement of the panels that make up the West and East-facing walls. In addition, there have been upgrades to the drainage, rainwater disposal and the installation of new WC facilities. A new ramp has also been installed to improve access to and from the building.
Being Grade I listed, and in consultation with Historic England, it was agreed that despite the building having existed in many forms over the years, the truest mode of conservation in this instance would be to repair and replace elements of the building ‘like-for-like’ wherever possible, with a few details captured from original drawings.
Client: Waltham Abbey Royal Gunpowder Mills
Location: Waltham Abbey Royal Gunpowder Mills
Status: Completed 2024
Sector: Culture
Photography: Baynes & Mitchell
Location: Waltham Abbey Royal Gunpowder Mills
Status: Completed 2024
Sector: Culture
Photography: Baynes & Mitchell
