Pilaster with Corinthian capital stripped of paint and restored with lime mortar

New replacement lathes ready to receive lime plaster

Restoration of timber porch structure and leaded stained-glass windows

Window Ironmongery for refurbishment.jpg

Assessing the careful repair of a sash window box

Assessing movement in the structure over the bay window.

Onsite meeting with Architect, Conservation officer from the Townscape Heritage Initiative and Contractor

uncovering historic encaustic tile floor beneth cement screed.

HERITAGE CONSULTANCY

The practice has specialised in work to historic buildings and sites for over a decade, and Sam became Accredited by the Royal Institute of British Architects as a Conservation Architect in 2018.

We carry out innovative research on some of the most interesting and special buildings in the UK, including Jane Austen’s Grade I listed House in Hampshire, the Café Royal, Piccadilly and Margate’s Winter Gardens. We're just as happy to work in collaboration with other architecture practices, supporting their understanding of historic sites, as we are on our own design projects; we all benefit from broadening our approach and range of experiences.

Recently, we prepared an Historic Buildings Report for the SPID Theatre Company to inform our design for the repair, refurbishment, alteration and extension to the ground floor of the Community Rooms of Grade II* listed 1930s Kensal House on Ladbroke Grove. Our research included locating historic record photographs, construction method statements and most significantly, the original drawings. This provided the documentary evidence to analyse the original construction and to understand and confirm how the building changed through time. Our report was used to support the client's successful applications for funding to the National Lottery Community Fund and Heritage Fund, and to the Mayor of London’s Good Growth Fund, totalling £2.4m.

Our work for the Trustees of the Fawsley Estate in Northamptonshire has included an Historic Buildings Report for the refurbishment of one of the estate’s more significant buildings, Little Fawsley. The building dates from the early to mid-18th century and was altered and extended in the early 20th century. The building lies just outside the boundary of the Grade II* Deer Park laid out by Lancelot 'Capability' Brown in the mid-18th century. The Trustees are seeking to undertake urgent repairs followed by a phased sequence of refurbishment to retain its use as domestic accommodation for the estate. Our report informed the significance and historic background and has been submitted early in the design process for an informal pre-application discussion with the local authority.

On a smaller scale, and working in collaboration with another firm of architects, we recently undertook research for an undesignated farmstead in East Kent within the curtilage of a Grade II listed 15th century farmhouse. Our report provided a statement of significance, research into the history of the site and the setting with particular reference to the Historic England guidance documents on farmsteads, the setting of heritage assets and the conversion of traditional farm buildings.