Chiswick Power House, London

Power House of recording talent is fine-tuned with help from ITP.

ITP’s FlameOUT Breathe Class B breather membrane is demonstrating its performance qualities in the latest renovation of a listed building in London which has become a unique recording studio used by some of the biggest names in music.

Metropolis Studios was created within Chiswick Power House, a beautiful and historic property which was commissioned in 1900 to house the London Tram System. The Power House was neglected and unused for many years before getting a new lease of life in the 1980s as a world-class facility for the likes of Queen, George Michael, the Rolling Stones, Rihanna, Jay-Z, Ed Sheeran and many other famous artists.

Opened in May 1989, Metropolis Studios was planned from the outset as Europe’s market-leading commercial recording complex. The project was started in 1984 by a team of producers and recording management who wanted to combine the best features of the greatest recording facilities around the world. It now includes an iconic range of dynamic tracking and mixing studios alongside world-leading mastering suites.

Over three decades on from the first restoration, the Power House is being fine-tuned with a façade renovation featuring FlameOut Breathe FR provided for the project by the Leatherhead branch of Chandlers Building Supplies. FlameOut Breathe FR is an advanced membrane system designed to ensure long-term protection to the building envelope with a combination of W1 water tightness and high water vapour permeability controlling condensation within the interior. Made from breathable, non-woven fabric with superior self-extinguishing, flame retardant properties, the product is independently tested to EN 13501-1 and has a Euroclass B,s1-d0 fire safety rating which is fully compliant with building regulations.

ITP Account Manager, Marisa Schofield, said:

“We are very proud to contribute to the latest upgrade of this historic building which was a showpiece of engineering technology in its original form and has since been transformed by Metropolis Studios into a unique recording environment used by an amazing array of stars, from Lady Gaga to Prince, Elton John and the Stone Roses. FlameOut Breathe FR will play a big part in ensuring that this hub of creativity remains in optimum condition for many more decades to come.”