It’s all go here this winter as building works have started on-site at our own Honeylands studio, which is expanding.
We’re building our own extension to the side of the C.16th thatched barn to provide more welfare rooms and much needed storage for our material samples.
We’re using traditional Welsh Slate from the Penrhyn quarry. This slate is a lovely Heather Blue colour with green speckles. The timber-frame and roof will be insulated with Thermafleece Sheepswool; and we’re also using lots of other natural materials in the construction of the extension. It’s currently a bit muddy at the studio but by spring the new extension will be finished.
At the Grade I listed St. Mary’s Church, Saffron Walden we have completed the Phase 1 installation of the Servery joinery into the North Aisle. The Welcome Area joinery, for display of their leaflets and postcards, is also complete. The joinery has been warmly welcomed by all. The Diocese Advisory Board were impressed with the way this has been fitted into the significant structure. After researching other joinery details within the church, we incorporated the dentil cornice detail found on the organ cover and screen. The Saffron crocus has also been carved into the oak. Welsh slate has been used on the worktop inside, and the whole unit opens up with bi-fold doors.
In January we started the second phase of works at St Mary’s. This will provide a new WC, Children’s Library, and storage provision for the Crèche. We are re-positioning the baptismal font to allow families to sit easily around the font. During the works we found the old lead pipe and soakaway for the font; this has been blocked for decades, but we have now reinstated the original soakaway and pipe to the relocated font position. The C.18th ledger stones were carefully lifted with a huge hoist; then repositioned, with the archaeologist monitoring all the ground works.
Re-ordering of the Church of St. Mary the Virgin, Walton, is a step closer. It has Faculty approval, and tenders have been returned for works to provide improved parking; better access through the building; a more inviting glazed entrance; accessible toilets; a servery and new joinery.
Phase 1 works have commenced on site to convert a Grade II stable block, of circa 1700 origin, to an attractive wedding venue. When removing the ceilings over the stables and garage, a feed chute from the loft to the stables was discovered. It must have been hard work to lift bags of horse feed up a ladder above the stables. Another interesting detail uncovered within the stables was large slate sheets which lined the back wall, protecting the masonry from damage from the horses’ hooves.
We have completed the 2 year project to create a new courtyard building, with basement and leisure rooms, to a Grade II listed Georgian Villa house in Cambridgeshire. The owners held a celebratory party for all contractors and consultants involved, and partners were invited too. As families do not often get to see our projects, this was a very special treat. Sarah is completing designs for the interiors, and is assisting our clients in finding artwork for this historic house. We have just started on-site with the new outbuilding at the same house and the design echoes the original Georgian buildings found in the walled garden.
Over in Essex, the re-modelling of a 16th Century Farmhouse will be nearing completion this summer. The old house had been badly remodelled in the 1980s, and after we made a study of the old house, we reinstated the old steeply pitched peg tile roofs, lime render and the traditional sash windows and doors. We also added a staircase/Entrance Hall, Drawing Room, Orangery and Kitchen extension.
The new oak-framed extension and restoration of a lovely Old Saddlery in Essex has just completed. This interesting 17th Century cottage now has a new oak framed and slate Kitchen and Boot Room extension, and the whole house was restored. The original oak eaves / rafter feet were reinstated to the front street view.
Working closely with the Structural Engineer, we are detailing a Basic Working Drawing for a pretty Edwardian style roof lantern detail for an unlisted Edwardian property in Essex.
We are preparing concept drawings to provide practicable service layouts to an attractive C.17th, Grade II listed old rectory in Norfolk.
Works to extend and fully refurbish a C16th farmhouse in South Cambridgeshire are due to be completed in early April. Our overseas clients have worked closely with us to deliver their future home. A new Breakfast Room extension, attic conversion and traditional cart lodge style garaging make this a property to be cherished.
Also in South Cambridgeshire, our designs for the change of use and conversion of redundant farmyard buildings were approved at the end of 2017. The proposals included the reinstatement of lost historic roof forms and the creation of two generous and desirable 3 bedroom homes, each with a separate annexe.
Our proposals to partially convert a Grade II listed threshing barn near Maldon were approved in December. Maintaining the integrity and character of the barn, our plans included the insertion of a mezzanine floor with a Master Bedroom Suite with Dressing Room and En-suite bathroom. A linking structure will allow direct access between the farmhouse and the mezzanine. The whole barn will be repaired, re-roofed and re-serviced.
In South Essex, the re-modelling and refurbishment of a large farmhouse is nearing completion. With a brand new roof form, including additional attic floor accommodation, we expect this beautiful home to be ready by Easter.
We have recently undertaken Quinquennial Inspections of Harlow Baptist Church and Great Oakley .
Many other projects are in the design stage and will appear on the news soon!
Finally, our Practice has successfully transitioned from the former ISO standard 9001:2008 (quality management systems) to the current more rigorous ISO 9001:2015 and similarly from ISO 14001:2004 (environmental systems) to ISO 14001:2015. This involved all staff taking our asbestos awareness tests, and CSCS – on site Health and Safety – tests.
