Torre Abbey Gatehouse
Conservation and repair of the C14 Mohun gatehouse as part of Torre Abbey Restoration (MEND and NHMF funding).
The roof and parapets were rebuilt, and the walls rerendered with hot lime and lime washed. The interiors were replastered with hot lime plaster. This expressed the C14 and C17 features of the upper chamber. Archaeological finds included C16 glass bottle within a blocked recess to the fireplace, the revealing of a laver and assorted pipes and games trinkets.
Rural Life Museum
The redevelopment of the rural life museum in Glastonbury includes galleries inserted into the existing farm buildings without changing the sense of the place, and new circulation and learning spaces integrated into the pattern of old buildings.
The architecture was carefully co-ordinated with the exhibition design. Internal reorganisation was key. The main entrance through the farmhouse was re-established. The old courtyard was opened up and visitor access and flow improved to all levels in the building.
The Shambles
The Market House, in the heart of Castle Cary, was built in 1855. The town council wanted to open up the ground floor to increase public use without compromising the building. This involved considerable consultation with the public, the local authority and Historic England.
The final scheme has been to enclose the rear Shambles with a new glass roof to create a public meeting space which kept the feel of the old market.
Torre Abbey
Building repairs and redevelopment of Museum and Art Gallery for Torbay Council.
The whole site and Grade 1 listed building has been reorganised to enhance access, and incorporate major museum and gallery accommodation and gardens. Works include a new cloister walk, masonry and render repairs, areas of roof renewal and conservation of monastic ruins.
The project had Heritage Lottery and Historic England funding and has been carried out in four phases, with a fifth anticipated.
Education Centre
The repair of a late 18c water mill and 19c barn at Hestercombe Gardens, and their conversion into an education centre. Old equipment has been refitted in the mill, together with an exhibition of early energy production. The barn has become a multi function education space.
The intention was to demonstrate how old buildings can be converted sensitively, and incorporate low energy modifications. The roofs, walls and floors have been super insulated, and the complex is heated with a log batch burning boiler.
Tewkesbury Tourist Information & Exhibition Centre
Repair, conversion and extension of a Tudor and C17th Grade II* listed timber frame building into a Tourist Information and Exhibition Centre, acting as a hub for other attractions in the town.
The scheme kept as much of the original fabric as possible, to which were added new elements. The existing building houses the main functions, and a small extension at the rear has unlocked the complex circulation requirements, gaining disabled access throughout.
Nothe Fort
A comprehensive repair of the coastal fort at the mouth of Weymouth harbour, and its conversion into a Museum of Coastal Defences.
Involvement started with a condition survey, conservation plan and feasibility study for the development of the fort as a museum, through to completion of the building works on site. This included the complete reconstruction of the earth ramparts, waterproofing of the gun deck and underground magazines, a new glass lift and shop.
Hestercombe Gardens Visitor Centre
New visitor centre for an 18th century landscape garden, and a 20th century garden by Edwin Lutyens and Gertrude Jekyll.
It required the repair and extensive alterations of a stable complex to make ticket office facilities, cafe, shop, function and interpretation areas as well as external ramps, walks and landscaping to control and improve access and setting for the gardens.