Tucked along the banks of the River Medway in East Farleigh, Kent, stands a striking reminder of Victorian engineering and architectural eclecticism. Built in 1860 by James Pilbrow, this Grade II-listed boiler house is a rare example of Egyptian Revival architecture in Britain – a style that flourished briefly in the mid-nineteenth century, when fascination with the temples of Karnak, Luxor and Edfu – particularly the Temple of Horus – inspired civic and industrial buildings across the country. Once crowned by an extraordinary obelisk chimney, now long vanished, the building had endured decades of change and underuse. Today, through a bold yet sensitive design by Felix Lewis Architecture & Interiors, it has been reimagined as The Works – a new headquarters for Chord Electronics, the British hi-fi and audio specialist renowned worldwide for precision, innovation and craft.
The client’s ambition was twofold: to create a workplace that embodied the quality and ingenuity of their products, and to address the pressing challenge of the building’s riverside location. With the River Medway only metres away, flooding has always shaped the building’s use and resilience. The new design therefore not only had to unlock the potential of this unique historic structure, but also ensure that it could withstand and adapt to the realities of its environment.
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 base of the staircase provides a durable anchor point. Lightweight, movable furniture further enhances adaptability, allowing spaces to be quickly reset after a flood. This pragmatic approach ensures that the building can operate effectively in its riverside setting, without compromising on aesthetics. The result is an architecture that embraces its environment rather than resists it – a model for resilient design in an era of increasing climate uncertainty.
For Chord Electronics, The Works represents more than just additional office space. It provides a home that reflects the identity of the brand: technically accomplished, uncompromising in quality, and proud of its British roots. Marketing and finance teams now share an environment designed to inspire creativity, collaboration and excellence, while clients and visitors are welcomed into a space that reflects the artistry and engineering precision of the company’s products.
John Franks, CEO at Chord, reflects on the transformation:
“Our newly designed conversion for the Works building has transformed how we work and present ourselves as a high-end audio company. Felix Lewis has managed to work with the character of the original listed, Egyptian inspired, industrial nineteenth century building, designing a beautiful contemporary extension with a superb aesthetic that reflects our brand perfectly. The spaces are not only visually striking but also highly functional, creating an inspiring environment for both staff and clients alike. The architect’s fine attention to detail and ability to balance heritage with contemporary design added real value to the project, exceeding our expectations at every stage.”
Felix Lewis, Founder and Director at Felix Lewis Architecture & Interiors, added:
“This project was about embracing the extraordinary character of a rare piece of Egyptian Revival architecture, while ensuring that it could support a contemporary business in a challenging riverside location. By drawing on historic references and designing with flood resilience at the core, we aimed to create a workplace that honours the past, responds to the present, and provides a sustainable legacy for the future. It has been a privilege to work with Chord Electronics on such a unique and ambitious commission.”
The Works is a story of heritage and reinvention, of resilience and craft. It demonstrates how sensitive yet confident design can breathe new life into overlooked buildings, transforming them into assets for the future. By rebalancing the building’s form, rethinking its interiors, and embedding resilience at every level, Felix Lewis Architecture & Interiors have created a workplace that is as distinctive as the products it represents. For Chord Electronics, it is a new home that embodies their values and aspirations. For East Farleigh, it is the revival of an architectural landmark – a building that once powered industry, now powering creativity and innovation.
