GRADE 2 LISTED BUILDING OAK CONSERVATORY
Our clients contacted Richmond Oak for a quotation to provide and build an oak conservatory on their Grade 2 Listed Georgian property in Hertfordshire.
They already had an architect’s concept agreed by Hertsmere Planning & Conservation and contracted a builder to carry out the ground-works and associated works, such as electrics, underfloor heating, plastering and floor tiling.
Our clients wanted to engage professionals to minimize their personal day to day involvement in the project as much as possible. They required the services of a specialist conservatory company that could work closely with their chosen builder, without them having to be ‘piggy in the middle’.
The objective of the project was to create a relaxing family living space with an uninterrupted view of the attractive garden. Typically, much of the garden was not readily visible from the main living rooms. It was essential that the new living space be comfortable to use all year around; not too hot in the Summer and not too cold in the Winter.
Winning the Project
We offered a unique seasoned oak product having flush conservation sashes, dummy sashes to the fixtures, and glazing bars to meet the Conservation Officers requirements.
No other Company was offering a dual colour option with a white painted exterior having empathy with the main house and a warm natural oak finish to the interior.
We also proposed changing the Architect’s hipped roof design to a gable front, having a sunburst gable to take up the features of some curved top doors and windows on the house. This change was discussed with Conservation Officer and it was agreed that this would be treated as a non-material alteration.
A design solution was provided to the difficulty of having a 1.2m radius turret in the interior corner of the proposed conservatory location, which wasn’t at 90° and between the two box gutters.
Richmond Oak provided a significantly higher glazing specification, using solar control glass well within building regulations requirements and with both heat reflection standards on a hot day, and heat retention standards on a cold day, superior to any offered by other suppliers.
The Design
On reviewing the design, which was perfectly acceptable below the roof line, the Client’s architect had specified a hipped roof with a 35° pitch, to match the house and it was also of a design that was very reminiscent of a PVC roof.
A significant change was suggested. As you may well be aware, 2D drawings do not convey the reality of what we see and 3D perspective visuals were very useful in displaying a reduction of roof pitch to 30° with a sunburst gable on the front, which was visually much more sympathetic with the house. In reality it was impossible to see the difference between the roof pitch on the house and the conservatory from ground view. (Had the house had a gable aligned with the roof of the conservatory, or closer to it, we might well have considered matching the pitch, but not in this case.)
What’s more, because we individually design each hardwood conservatory or orangery to complement the existing architecture, we are ideally placed to create an inspiring design that answers your requirements and enhances the historic value of your home.
The Installation
Our dedicated installation team carried out the build of the oak frames construction and glazing during a 3 week period and managed to deal with both the curved turret and non-square house walls, without it being evident in the final solution.
Project Designer - Paul FitzGerald (Managing Director)
View this project on our website HERE & a 360 degree virtual tour HERE
Richmond Oak
'Award Winning' Richmond Oak Conservatories will provide valuable knowledge, advice and a solution to turn your vision into a reality. Specialising in the design, planning and installation of stunning bespoke hardwood conservatories and luxury orangeries to improve and increase your living space.
The team at Richmond Oak has extensive experience of applying for Planning Permission and working with planning departments that deal with Listed Properties and developments in Conservation Areas and AONB. We are also able to offer comprehensive conservatory & orangery advice in many areas of design, construction, glazing, heating, ventilation and finishing. Either providing a turn-key solution with a recommended builder we have worked with before or working closely with your own builder.
Our experienced designers will work with you to create a design that will meet your greatest aspirations.
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PROAVINU - Home Technology
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POLL: Conservatory or extension?
Comments (192)If you were our client, we would first assess which way the house faces in order to understand the direction of the sun and the likely impact on the space in terms of light and heat, plus we would ask what use you intend to place on the new space. It is also the case that with whatever heating - a fully glazed conservatory can seem an inhospitable space in the winter months. Even in the UK heat gain during our short summer is a major consideration and whilst roof blinds can be added - these can spoil the original design intent. A part solid / part glazed roof with fully glazed walls may be the most successful. Attached image of a garden room with a large strategically placed roof light and two fully glazed walls....See MoreListed building consent?
Comments (10)People make decorative changes to listed buildings all the time. Grade two star and grade one listings are more restrictive than grade 2 and often exclude extensions and alterations that would be possible with most other homes. Grade two buildings (and houses in conservation areas) have article 4 directions that require routine works such as replacing windows to have permission. This is to maintain the character of the streetscape and the historical interest of the building. These regulations may also exclude you putting a kitchen into a front room as this is not expected to be seen from the road. Likewise you would be unable to vent your boiler flue through the front of the building. Restrictions are designed to protect the historical interest of the building but not to freeze it in time so people can't enjoy modern conveniences and decorating decisions....See Moregrade 2 listed fire place
Comments (4)Would you consider an electric or a bioethanol fire at all? Woodburners are heavy polluters both inside and outside the home and their use has already been restricted in some areas. Some of the electric and bioethanol fires are very authentic looking. Here’s some examples. The first three are electric and the last one is bioethanol and requires no flue....See MoreGrade II listed help needed please
Comments (6)Personally I vowed never again after a poor experience but had I had a good architect on board I might have been fine. My story was that I owned a Grade II property which had had some unsympathetic extension in the 60s (with wide 60’s picture windows) before the listing was made. I wanted to facelift the 60s part by changing the window apertures so they looked like they were in keeping with the original house. Thinking I was doing the right thing I met with the local councils planning officer who was responsible for protected buildings. He seemed to understand very little about regulations and his fear of getting anything wrong made him paralyzed from stating what actually would be possible and he discouraged doing anything suggesting they would prefer the 60s style windows that were technically protected over something in keeping with the street scape that they were tasked with protecting. He clearly had no buildings experience either stating I had to keep a particular door stating it was original despite it clearly being a DIY store addition complete with barcode on an unpainted edge!! This was very disappointing as I had assumed I would come away from the meeting with a list to follow of materials to use or approved contractors or guidelines about what process to follow in order to be compliant. The motto is find out what has been done to other buildings that are also protected as it demonstrates precedence and find a good architect used to working with the council numpties- an architect who knows the regulations and can assertively and accurately talk to them. And be prepared for slow decisions and some illogical and disappointing decisions from the authorities that you may have to challenge....See More
PROInConstruction Services Ltd
7 years agoRichmond Oak Conservatories Ltd thanked InConstruction Services Ltd- PRO
Richmond Oak Conservatories Ltd
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PROLaara Copley-Smith Design
7 years agolast modified: 7 years agoRichmond Oak Conservatories Ltd thanked Laara Copley-Smith Design
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