Ealing Studios developing zero carbon sound stage
November 28, 2022
Ealing Studios, the world’s oldest film studio, is celebrating its 120th year with an expansion to futureproof the site for generations to come. Plans for a new 14,000 square foot stage, 10,000 square foot of new workshops and 35,000 square foot of additional offices have just received permission to proceed from Ealing Council. The new buildings will honour the Art Deco aesthetic of the original 1930’s Grade II listed sound stages. The architects are Create Design, led by Matthew Williams.
Ealing Studios’ new development qualifies under the Net Zero Carbon Scheme by using highly efficient air source heat pumps and photovoltaic renewable technologies, by which it achieves 100 per cent reduction in regulated carbon emissions. The development includes £20 million of local investment and preserves Ealing Studios’ position as an internationally renowned facility for film, television, innovation and education.
Barnaby Thompson, Partner at Ealing Studios, said: “Since the invention of film, Ealing Studios has been at the forefront of every new media revolution – and this is the next stage in our evolution, responding to a need for greater studio space as well as recognising the need to become a more sustainable industry. We thrilled to be celebrating our 120th birthday by building what we believe is the first Net Zero Carbon stage in the UK. We want the Studio to be a home for talent for generations to come.”
The Studio has been at the heart of the British film industry since its inception in 1902. It was the home of the original Ealing comedies such as The Ladykillers, Whiskey, Galore! and Kind Hearts and Coronets, modern classics Bridget Jones, Notting Hill and Shaun of the Dead, and recent titles including Academy Award-winning Darkest Hour, St Trinians, Downton Abbey and One Night In Soho. Ealing is also home to music recording studios which has welcomed leading artists like Rhianna, Adele to Sam Smith and producer, Naughty Boy. The tenants of the studios include BAFTA Award winner Andy Sirkis’ motion capture company, The Imaginarium Studios, Timeline Television, and the MetFilm School – a film, television and online media school.