A deep office refurbishment of a Grade II Listed property in central Bath. This historic building was originally a church but was converted in the 1980s and contained cellular office spaces. The refurbishment included stripping back the partition walls and suspended ceilings and installing a system of exposed services which added height to the space while complimenting the historic features. The M&E refurbishment involved the move off gas to an electricity based MVHR heating and cooling system with air source heat pumps. This was combined with improved facilities internally and externally to support cycling to work.

37 Doughty Street is a Grade II Listed Property within the Bloomsbury Conservation Area in London. The development was the conversion and reduction of seven sub-standard apartments to five apartments, one per floor, suitable for modern living. The previous works undertaken to the property, which was built around 1800, had caused much damage to the historic features both internally and externally. There was a significant dialogue and negotiation with the conservation team at Camden Council to achieve the planning approval for the sensitive refurbishment.

Although it had already been apartments the change to the number of units meant the property was treated as a change of use.

We worked closely with the Building Control Inspector and the Fire Consultant to introduce a fire strategy to satisfy the stringent requirements of London Fire. This resulted in the sensitive inclusion of a mist system throughout and the conversion of a heritage window to the communal stairs to form a new Automatic Opening Vent.

There was the opportunity to sensitively install a wood fibre insulation system to the internal face of external walls where there was an existing void remaining from the frames that once supported silk wallpaper. To the upper floors this was combined with the reinstatement of the heritage skirting and the panelled window surrounds.

The reinstatement of lime pointing to the front and rear facade helped to reduce moisture in the walls, thereby improving thermal performance, as well as halting the deterioration of the soft Georgian brickwork.

The move to a communal heating and hot water system not only allowed for improved efficiencies but also a significant reduction and co-ordination of the the pipework which had previously marred the building appearance.

The reinstatement of historic features to including the entablature and top light above the main entrance door and the reinstatement of much of the panelling to the entrance hall really helps to bring back the character of this historic property.

Historical changes had taken their toll upon the property and it was our challenge to unpick these changes. We examined and audited what original features remained, to analyse both the existing planform but also discover the building’s historical one, in order to find potential in this special but abandoned building. In understanding the property it was key to acknowledge it would never be a single dwelling again.

The challenge was how to sensitively convert the building into 6 flats suitable for modern student accommodation. The key was to re-insert and replicate the main stairs of which only a fraction remained. This helped repair the planform, bring the side entrance back into reuse and restore an element of grandure.

We restored original features where possible and restored some of the extensive damage. We had hoped to remove the external paint to uncover the original finishes but these were unfortunately in such a poor state of repair that we had to recover them with a breathable finish.

The building is not only now a home for student accommodation but also offices for Urban Creation with a wonderfully located coffee shop to the corner.

The project was delivered by Pyramid Construction, with help from BDC Structural Engineering, Jane Clayton Interiors and CSJ Planning.

The Grade II listed 17th century Manor House is set within secluded landscaped gardens and has spectacular views across the city. It was badly fire damaged in 1978 and was subsequently restored in a modern style. We renovated the Manor House and extended it to create 18 boutique student apartments for Urban Creation. It is the earliest surviving classical house within Bristol and is a provincial interpretation of a Restoration-Dutch style. It has undergone many changes over the centuries. Original period features, where present, were retained along with many of the 1980’s interventions. This approach allowed the layers of architectural history to be preserved, enriching its character. The striking extension, which was the realisation of an unbuilt 1980’s design, was adapted to modern day building standards and delicately responds to the context creating light and airy contemporary apartments. The gardens have been renovated incorporating complimentary bespoke artwork such as the laser cut steel entrance gates.

14-16 Charlotte Street are three imposing five storey Grade II* listed properties in central Bristol just off the busy thoroughfare of Park Street. The properties, originally individual dwellings, form part of a group of Georgian buildings, constructed circa 1800, which are raised up from the road level with amazing views across the city.

The properties had been interconnected and internally altered to form offices. We led the team through both planning, design and construction to convert the properties into 24 flats for Urban Creation as student accommodation. The flats were a mixture of 2 bed, 1 bed and studio flats depending on the planform.

The challenge was to upgrade the properties to be suitable for modern living, while minimising the loss of historic fabric and features. The many new kitchens and bathrooms needed to be sensitively integrated along with their services, drainage and ventilation. The apartments were upgraded to have enhanced fire protection while retaining original ceilings including the integration of a mist sprinkler system. The acoustic separation between the apartments had to be improved to ensure residents would not disturb each other.

The project was delivered by Pyramid Construction, along with BDC Structural Engineering, Sofa Library Interiors and CSJ Planning.