Issue 45 Feb 25 web - Flipbook - Page 107
glaze was used on the front, referencing fireplace tiles in
the main house and picking up on the decorative formal
front. A plainer Staffordshire blue was used for the less
formal rear. Internally quarry tiles are laid in herringbone,
stack and stagger bond, subtly distinguishing thresholds
and rooms. A new lightweight perforated metal and oak
stair slots into the existing tack room paneling and enables
views and ephemeral patterned shadows to pass through.
The conversion has breathed new life into this distinctive
Welsh building. The result is a beautiful and functional
home that has improved the quality of life for its users
providing them with an uplifting and accessible home.
The drivers, concepts, and performance of the building
in terms of sustainability are outlined below
Balancing thermal performance with retention of historic
character was paramount for this listed building. Internal
walls were restored to reveal existing brickwork and
timber paneling while external walls were thermally
upgraded using a mixture of strategies including woodfibre
insulation to the roughcast and timber gable walls. The
heating and hot water are provided by an ASHP and
underfloor heating.
The handmade clay roof tiles were carefully taken down
one by one to enable majority re-use. Insulation was laid
from above so as to not damage the existing tongue and
groove timber-lined space below. Where possible, underfloor heating was installed from underneath to allow for
the retention of the original floorboards.
Above, building front before and after, pictures by Tom Crawley
and Francesco Montaguti
This theme of restoration and reuse permeated the entire
project. Original Forest of Dean sandstone external stair
treads were salvaged and transformed into stepping stones
forming hardscaping around the building. All timber was
kept on-site for repurposing, minimising landfill waste.
A thorough examination of the original sliding doors
revealed the most efficient way to dismantle and reincorporate them within the building. These now form
grand internal doors and sliding west-facing external shutters which incorporate the half door. Glazed doors and pivoting timber louvres replace these to improve natural
lighting and regulate solar gain on the south facade. The
louvres are hand operated by rotating a salvaged cart wheel.
Despite the original building's dimly lit interior due to
limited windows, only three new openings were made to
the original fabric through the strategically located extension utilising existing openings. All bricks removed were
repurposed on-site.
Above, cupola before and after, picture by Claire Priest
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Conservation & Heritage Journal
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