Harrow School, Speech Room

The Speech Room at Harrow School was designed by William Burges in 1877, at a time when the number of boys at the school was drastically increased. The hall accommodates up to 550 and remains a testament to the high gothic revival, channelling late 19th century medieval and craftsman methodology.

Harrow Speech Room has hosted the grandest of occasions, with Kings, Queens, Prime Ministers, foreign dignitaries, and an array of impressive visiting speakers having graced its platform. Its impressive design is simultaneously functional, beautiful and versatile, used for assemblies, songs, prize-giving and speeches, musical concerts, Shakespeare and other theatre.

Giles Quarme Architects were brought in to oversee the comprehensive restoration and refit, which involved removing and replacing the existing lighting scheme (with Sutton-Vane Associates), completely rewiring the structure, sympathetically updating the embellishments, cleaning and repairing the stained glass, re-decorating the cast iron columns and bases, and cleaning the vaults and arches over the proscenium along with all the walls and stones.

The chairs were always an integral part of the Burges’s architectural intent but had, after 150 years, seen better days. The task for Luke Hughes Designs was to come up with a new chair design to continue Burges’s concept, albeit adapted to deal with modern fire regulations and expectations of comfort.

For more details about this and any other projects or products, please contact us.

For more details about this and any other projects or products, please contact us.