Roundhouse Works by Reed Watts Architects + Paddy Dillon

A Creative Hub Empowering Young Talent in Camden

Roundhouse Works is a landmark addition to the Roundhouse creative campus in Camden, London, designed by Paddy Dillon in collaboration with Reed Watts Architects. Conceived as a dynamic center for youth development, the project serves as a launchpad for aspiring creatives aged 11 to 30—doubling the Roundhouse’s annual reach from 7,500 to over 15,000 young people.

Adaptive Spaces for Music, Performance & Digital Media

The new building features state-of-the-art, purpose-built facilities:

• A bespoke large music studio for recording and production.
• A triple-height studio designed for circus arts and live performance.
• A flexible multi-use studio for workshops and creative training.
• A dedicated podcast studio operated by Transmission Roundhouse.

These spaces are carefully designed to support professional pathways in the creative industries, enabling young people to transform passion into profession.

The Inflexion Workspace: Affordable Studio for Creative Entrepreneurs

In addition to youth programming, Roundhouse Works integrates The Inflexion Workspace—a co-working hub for emerging creative professionals, freelancers, and startups. This affordable workspace includes access to:

• One-to-one mentorship with industry experts.
• Curated networking events and training workshops.
• Partnerships with organizations like Taylor Wessing, which have shaped the model over the past three years.

Timber Construction & Circular Materials for Low Carbon Impact

Sustainability is at the core of the project. The architects prioritized environmental responsibility through innovative material strategies:

• The structure is built from Sylva™ cross-laminated timber (CLT), sourced from sustainably managed forests. This sequesters over 250 tonnes of CO₂.
• The facade incorporates recycled railway sleepers, reducing embodied carbon by 8 tonnes compared to conventional cladding.

Additional green features include:

• Solar panels installed on the rooftop.
• Electric vehicle charging points.
• Energy-efficient LED lighting with automatic controls.

This comprehensive sustainability approach has earned Roundhouse Works the BREEAM 'Excellent' rating, placing it in the top 10% of new UK non-domestic buildings for environmental performance.

A Model for Inclusive and Sustainable Design

Roundhouse Works is not only environmentally responsible but also fully inclusive. It features accessible design throughout, including the innovative Space for Change facility, ensuring that the building welcomes and supports individuals from all backgrounds and abilities.

Community-Backed and Purpose-Driven

The project was made possible through generous contributions from private trusts, individuals, and corporate donors, with key funding from the Inflexion Foundation and Simon Turner, and land provided by the Norman Trust.

Through thoughtful design and community engagement, Roundhouse Works stands as a beacon for how architecture can foster social impact, environmental stewardship, and economic opportunity—right at the heart of urban London.

All Photographs are works of Fred Haworth