Conservation - Blair Gratton Architects

9 November, 20229 November, 2022

Design & Completion of New Church Choir Stalls

In order to modernise the choir stalls at this Darley Abbey Church, we were asked – as long-running Church Architects – to reconfigure the existing design.

The requirements of the congregation had changed in recent years, with wheelchair accessibility a key factor in making the church choir area as open as possible.

The existing choir stalls were long individual structures, which we split into easier to move sections with new end panels. We introduced new rows to a complementary design. The stalls were carefully cut and re-constructed in their ‘bite-size’ sections, and the new stalls were constructed from scratch using quality materials. The new stalls and new sections were then varnished to match.

We worked through all RIBA Work Stages, including contract managing the works during construction, working with a reputable joinery-centric Contractor.

We are pleased to say that the congregation are delighted with the new choir stalls, and we have received nothing but positive words regarding them.

See our recent post regarding a truss repair project to a church we have been involved with here.

26 October, 202226 October, 2022

Barn Conversion to Family Home out in the Derbyshire Countryside

We were appointed as Architects and asked to by our Clients to help the conversion of their barn. Their dream was a family home in the peaceful Derbyshire countryside, retaining the buildings large, agricultural, red-brick qualities.

Built in the 1800’s, the barn was a milking parlour and storage in its former life, as part of a collection of properties on a working country farm. The barn itself was named ‘Porthole Barn’, due to the characterful portholes which pierced the walls. The brickwork uniquely coursed with the sloped landscape.

The pictures show the beautiful colours of the brick and textures of the ‘built-to-last’ materiality of the barn.

We began by undertaking a conditioning survey to pick out significant areas of repair – as Conservation accredited Architects, this was well within our range of expertise. We then formulated a scheme which met our Client’s requirements, converting the property into a family home, with glazed gable and new sunken garage link alongside.

We successfully achieved planning permission with our design, and followed this up with obtaining building regulations plans appraisal.

Working closely with a specialist conservation engineer to tackle a number of challenges which presented themselves, the building was stabilised and the first floor made usable.

We worked from RIBA Work Stages 0-5, with the project drawings and information fully prepared for construction. The Clients undertook management of the build themselves.

We were delighted to be part of turning this characterful property from building with no use, to a loved family home.

Why not arrange a consultation with us if you have a similar project you wish to get moving.

19 October, 202219 October, 2022

Quinquennial Inspection and Truss Repair Project to Derbyshire Church

As Church Architect to this Grade II Listed Chapel in Chesterfield we prepared a written detailed report on the condition of the building. During the inspection a broken truss was identified above the main Chapel. We detailed and managed the works from start to finish advising the Church Wardens and instructing the contractor.

Architects Quinquennial Inspection revealed view toward balcony of sagging ceiling. — View toward balcony of sagging ceiling.

We have been carrying out Quinquennial Inspections (5-year mandatory inspections) of churches for many decades, through the experience of Architects John Gratton and now Simon Gratton. We were appointed to carry out a Quinquennial inspection of a church in Calow, Derbyshire, and noticed something amiss when entering the Nave – the ceiling was sagging where the central truss sat.

Working with a conservation experienced contractor, we removed a portion of the ceiling to investigate. Scaffolding was erected carefully.

It was revealed the bottom chord of the truss had fallen away from the central post, destabilising the structural integrity of the truss and putting the roof at risk of collapse.

Working with a specialist conservation engineer, we proposed a solution to freeze the truss in place, stabilise it, and halt any further movement.

The pictures above show the truss when first opened up, the post clearly losing connection with the chord. We worked closely with the church and contractor to manage the project, get the solution in place, and allow the Church to return to normal services with the knowledge that their ceiling wasn’t close to falling down. All parties were pleased with the results.