AN Ealing couple has launched a campaign looking to raise awareness for 'a little-known gem paying tribute to Ealing Studios'.

Kundan Bangerh and Jaimini Lakhani are the owners of Lumiere House on Equity Mews in Ealing Common.

They bought their property in 2007 when it was first built, as part of a larger development consisting of two separate, yet adjoining, properties.

The original architecture, design and aesthetics pay tribute to Ealing Studios, the world's oldest continuously operating studio, only a five-minute walk from the property.

The original architect (Richard Rogers – not the famous one who built the Pompidou Centre in Paris) has passed away, but his son, Simon Rogers said: "My father, being in his 60s, was of an age that he well remembered the productions of Ealing Studios and so, as a nod to that local history he underwent consultation with Ealing Council planners who are commended for their open mindedness at the initial proposal.

"Using some initial design ideas we offered him in association with another architect we worked with, and after a visit to Ealing Studios (I am sure knowing him, just a cheeky excuse for a nostalgic escape), my father revised the design to try and offer a salute to the iconic studios.

"The Ealing Studios architecture was referenced by the somewhat unusual use of a terne coated metal barrel roof which has a far more industrial appearance than might otherwise be expected within such a traditional urban domestic environment.

"The intention was to use an industrial outline to reference the studios and to infill with London brick and timber to soften the aesthetic to compliment the residential use."

The owners of the second property, Beaufoy House, have recently submitted a planning proposal to construct a roof extension, which removes half of the barrel roof.

To Kundan and Jaimini, this is unacceptable, as this would ruin the link to Ealing Studios and destroy its bespoke and unique design.

Jaimini told Ealing Nub News: "One of the main reasons we purchased this property nearly 15 years ago was because of its unique design that pays tribute to a local treasure.

"This building could only ever be in Ealing because of its distinct link to Ealing Studios, it needs to be preserved exactly how it is."

Her husband, Kundan added: "It will also ruin the aesthetic of the building, as well as affecting how much sunlight we get in our property.

"If the roof extension goes ahead, all the natural light we get on the ground floor will be gone."

"We would prefer the development remains intact as a place of local, if not national interest."

This is why they've now launched a campaign to inform Ealing residents of this building and its unique design.

Jaimini added: "If people don't know about this, we can't expect them to object.

"Ealing residents need to have the full picture and know about this building and the unique connection it has to Ealing and the local area."

Prior to Richard Rogers becoming the architect on this project, Chartered Practice Architects (CPA) Ltd were the original architects who had the planning permission for Equity Mews.

Warren Hagues from CPA Ltd also objects to the planning proposal: "We at CPA Ltd obtained planning permission for the existing two-unit development to Equity Mews in 2004.

"This replaced derelict single storey garages and a small two storey workshop.

"The intent behind the original design was to create a contextually relevant piece of modern architecture that responded to both adjacent properties as the wider Ealing locale.

"The strong emphasis on symmetry, clean lines and bold geometry are key architectural features to this unique pair of homes.

"As such, neither of the pair cannot be seen outside of the context of the other.

"The proposed application takes none of the above, or the subsequent work undertaken by the late Richard Rogers, into account.

"The proposed scheme would not only damage the architectural integrity of the application address but also that of its adjoining property.

"With the above in mind we urge LB Ealing Planning Department to refuse the application in its current form."

The Ealing Civic Society (ECS) also objects to the planning proposals.

ECS Secretary, Jo Winters, commented: "Ealing Civic Society objects to this application.

"We object to the proposed changes to Beaufoy House, one of a matched pair of semi-detached properties forming a single iconic building, with a strong emphasis on symmetry and clean lines consciously paying tribute to Ealing Film Studios.

"The intent behind the original design was to create a piece of modern architecture that responded to both adjacent properties and the wider Ealing locale.

"Any change to one of the pair would damage the essential symmetry and as proposed, the reflections of the Studios would be lost.

"We also understand that when the original planning permission for the houses was granted, the height and design were carefully considered to avoid shadowing of adjoining properties; any increase in height would therefore compromise this.

"We urge planners to refuse this inappropriate application that fails to respect the original architecture of these unique properties."

Local politicians have also voiced their concern regarding the planning proposal.

Ealing Common councillor, Praveen Anand told Ealing Nub News: "Having viewed the property from inside and the aesthetic outside, in my view, any change to either house would be great shame and loss of the original architect's great creation and design."

The owners of Beaufoy House, Sam and Cat Jordan explained why they've put forward the proposal for a roof extension.

Cat told Ealing Nub News: "We have two children who are about to go into their teenage years (aged 11 and nine).

"Currently their bedrooms are on the ground floor, with one of the rooms at the very front of the house.

"Also, the second bedroom on the ground floor doesn't have a proper window and has a large megaflo heating in it; it's not an ideal bedroom.

"By building this extension, we're going to create two extra bedrooms on the top floor where our soon to be teenage kids can move into instead, giving them that independence that a teenager needs and wants.

"We also absolutely love the local area and want to continue living here, we don't want to move, so we're trying to make adjustments to our current home."

The couple disagree with their neighbours' objections: "The house is a 14-year-old semi-detached house – it can't really be described as 'iconic' and it's also been called a 'gem', with both definitions meaning something different.

"On the original brochure from when we first bought the property, there is a very brief mention of Ealing Studios, nothing more than that.

"We certainly feel that the connection and link to Ealing Studios has been misrepresented to a certain extent by those opposed to our proposal.

Cat also disagrees about how the aesthetic beauty of the two properties will be affected: "Aesthetic beauty means something different for everyone, it's a subjective matter.

"I can empathise with how our neighbours feel, but people have different opinions on what beauty is.

"Just because one person finds something beautiful, it doesn't mean someone else does.

Regarding the argument that the roof extension would harm their neighbours' lighting, Cat said: "We sought specialist advice from an independent daylight consultant demonstrating there would be no adverse impact in accordance with the British Research Establishment standards.

"We then confirmed that they looked at all the properties surrounding it, including Lumiere House and Kerrison Road.

"We've gone through the planning process, we haven't deviated or done anything wrong, we've submitted the application properly, and we even used an independent daylight consultant to try to help alleviate neighbours' concerns.

"All we're trying to do is extend our house, just like many other people have done in the local area and throughout Ealing.

"At the end of the day we've done this by the book, councils throughout the country have a planning process that is there to be followed and we've followed Ealing's."

To comment on the planning proposal, click HERE; deadline is June 17.