Roof repairs were carried out initially to ensure that the building remained weathertight, followed by internal repairs and alterations.  The brief requested the addition of a kitchen and family room that overlooked the undulating mature landscape, while the remainder of the house was carefully repaired and reconfigured to suit a modern family home.

The existing concrete floors and footprint of the extension were carefully excavated by the archaeologist and a new Limecrete breathable floor build-up was introduced with underfloor heating to the ground floor.  The existing plasterboard ceilings and vaulted skeilings were removed and modern, non-breathable materials replaced with breathable materials such as sheep wools, wood fibre insulation and boards with a lime plastered finish throughout.

The repairs and alterations were carried out sympathetically to the building’s significance using traditional materials and methods, while also improving the building’s thermal performance and without compromising its breathability.

The works incorporated external landscaping in the form of a decorative stone retaining wall with steps up onto higher level terraced areas of the garden.

The project was a winner at the Sussex Heritage Trust Awards 2025 in the ‘Small Scale Residential: Restoration, Conversion and Extension’ category.

The repairs required a scaffold with temporary roof and due to the construction of the House, an independent scaffold had to be designed to span the existing building without taking any load off the existing structure.

As well as replacing the roof slates with new Welsh Penrhyn slates (retaining the original where possible), repairs to the galetted flint parapets were carried out in addition to alterations to the rainwater goods, to ensure quick and efficient discharge of water from the inner roof pitches.  A new lightning protection system was introduced and new measures for access, to ensure ongoing maintenance in the future.  These were all vital to futureproof the building and ensure its sustainability.

The works required careful coordination to ensure the grade II* listed building remained accessible throughout the works.

The proposals included repair works and internal reordering to the house which is set in the New Forest with sublime views over the Solent and Isle of Wight.

This grade II listed building celebrates its idyllic location with large timber sliding windows that open rooms up to the outside to take in the marvellous surroundings. The centre piece is a double height music room that was originally designed around two grand pianos, sitting on a raised podium that leads up and around the central chimney breast to a mezzanine overlooking the space. The house also boasts bespoke features and integrated sculptural pieces such as the aluminium balustrade supports on the mezzanine and crystal doorknobs fitted on the doors entering the music room, designed by Ann Henderson and Helen Weir respectively.

The comprehensive repair project to conserve the house completed in April 2019, with much of the work involving careful joinery design and detailing. New technologies were introduced alongside ideas to protect the house for the next generation, while maintaining its character and charm.

The project consists of roofing works, masonry repairs, and repair and redecoration of the fenestration where the erection of scaffold affords access.  All works are undertaken by suitably qualified craftsmen with experience and knowledge of working on historic buildings.

The principle of the repairs is to use traditional methods and materials.  Where new materials are required, they have been a like-for-like replacement only where absolutely necessary, to ensure the building is safe and weathertight.  Great care has been taken to ensure all the repairs and any minor improvements are sympathetic to the significant historic fabric of the building, with all new interventions provided to increase the longevity of the traditional material being used.

The works included careful removal of a large amount of modern cementitious pointing prior to specialist analysis and repointing with a traditional lime mortar to match the original sections.

Works also included the replacement of spalling brick specials to the hood and coping moulds, the renewal of lime render to window reveals and surrounds, internal structural repairs to the roof and floor timbers, and repair works to existing metal frame casements. In addition to the repair works, the attic space was converted into guest flat accommodation.

Managing a team of specialist consultants and contractors, the project’s emphasis is on the continued development of the site as an educational source for community use.

Jane Jones-Warner was the Inspecting Architect to this grade I listed Ancient Scheduled Monument and the works were part funded by English Heritage.

The works were phased and received grant aid from English Heritage.

Work involved developing an appropriate roof covering to retain the rhythm of the glazing bars and the ambience of the historic glass houses within the grade II listed park.

A further phase of work to reinstate the east pavilion and repair the east range of lean-to glass houses to provide educational facilities for its many visitors is about to be implemented.

We acquired all the consents for the first phase of construction and the second round planning and listed building consents.