Ovalhouse
- Client: Surrey County Cricket Club
- Contacts: Steve Harvey, Mattia Sanlorenzo
The redevelopment of the former Ovalhouse Theatre provides much-needed hotel and commercial space, complementing the expansion of The Oval Cricket Ground. This follows the theatre’s relocation to a more suitable venue in Brixton in 2020.
Ovalhouse, situated on Kennington Oval opposite the iconic cricket ground, was a vibrant cultural hub. For over 50 years, it supported both professional artists and young talent, commissioning new work that addressed social and political issues while reflecting the cultural diversity of its local community. This scheme not only revitalises a historically significant site but also enhances the area’s functionality and aesthetic appeal.
A key opportunity for the scheme was to enhance the existing poor-quality public realm along Kennington Oval, in front of the newly set-back hotel building.
The new development significantly improves the public realm and enhances the architectural character of the area. It draws on the gridded façades typical of surrounding buildings, reinterpreting them in a contemporary manner. A distinctive metal treatment highlights the corner and top levels, allowing the building to blend seamlessly within its context.
The hotel offers high-quality accommodation for cricket fans, tourists, and business travellers visiting London. It will also enable Surrey County Cricket Club to host multi-day business events and conferences, while its restaurant and bar remain open to the public, preserving the site’s commercial and public functions.
The building’s form has been carefully designed to respect its surroundings, stepping down in height towards The White House while rising at the corner to align with the height of Lockwood House. The gridded elevation harmonises with the local vernacular, ensuring the building integrates sensitively with its urban context.
