Issue 45 Feb 25 web - Flipbook - Page 108
l 90% of the clay roof tiles were saved due to careful
The design team worked hard to avoid the use of steel
and concrete - a timber solution was designed to avoid a
large steel beam to pick up the new glazing and pivoting
louvres. Timber frame and engineered timber were used
for the new walls and canopy entrance.
removal and storage.
l Timber was scarfed into the existing cupola legs where
rotten using minimal new materials.
l 85% of existing floorboards were retained.
Strategies used in the building’s design to reduce
embodied carbon
Studio Brassica Architects were conscious of reducing
embodied carbon where possible. Below are bullet point
key examples and areas where this has been achieved
within the project:
l Carrying out detailed surveys of existing structure and
components enabled Studio Brassica Architects to
minimise the use of steel and reduce waste. For example
detailed investigations into existing structure condition to
the large south opening. This enabled the original steel
beam solution to be reconsidered and lighter weight
timber solution to be used. Another example includes the
re-purposing of the original sliding doors which were efficiently cut to make internal doors and west facing shutters.
l 90% of tongue and groove boards were retained.
l New bricks and the entire ground floor quarry tiles were
Staffordshire blue, made locally in the Midlands.
l Forest of Dean sandstone steps were salvaged from the
original external stair and have been re-used as stepping
stones on site.
l The original metal sliding door mechanism was re-used
to for the new west sliding shutters.
l Excess offcut linoleum from a previous project was
reused for the upstairs shower room.
Ecological strategy
There were significant numbers of bats found present within
the roof spaces of the building including whiskered bats,
pipistrelle, lesser horseshoe and brown long-eared bats.
l Timber frame was selected rather than concrete block
for new walls or steels for the roof.
l Brick and timber internal walls to the existing building
were restored and the new extension timber joists were
left exposed reducing the use of new materials and
plasterboard.
Studio Brassica Architects worked closely with the
ecologist to make sure there was a robust strategy in place for
improved access and some relocation where required. An
upper area of the east wing of the building used for storage
was blacked out to provide a better sleeping environment
and a medium lit area for a bat gym / dusk warm up area.
Above, Plas Hendy Stable Block, picture by Francesco Montaguti
Above, Plas Hendy Stable Block, picture by Claire Priest
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Conservation & Heritage Journal
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