Restoration & Refurbishment of an 18th Century Grade II Listed Building

Chilton Bridge, a former residential school within substantial grounds, required extensive refurbishment to meet educational standards and reopen as a facility for students with SEMH needs.

The site comprises several buildings of varying ages and construction quality, including a grade II listed house and stable block.

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Phases 1a & 1b:

The scope of the works includes refurbishment and minor alterations of the existing buildings to meet Part 3 (welfare, health & safety) and Part 5 (suitability of premises) of the Independent School Regulations, delivered in phases to enable the school to begin operating as quickly as possible.

Project Delivery

Much of the work has been based around bringing the decorations and functional elements of the buildings up to date, however, the complex process of achieving a compliant and functional facility has included:

Emphasis from the client has been on creating a comfortable and welcoming “home-from-home” environment that doesn’t feel strictly educational.

Making use of contractors based near to the site has been key to maintaining performance, controlling costs and providing local economic benefit. TCi’s rigorous contractor onboarding process and supply chain management ensured the smooth delivery of scaffolding, roofing, M&E, decorations, fencing, landscaping and temporary road works.

The project was constantly evolving as inspections continued to raise new requirements. For example, extra protection services such as external gas pipework. TCi’s site team remained reactive and flexible to ensure each new element could be achieved within the programme.

Ensuring the health & safety, and welfare of pupils and staff to OFSTED requirements, within a building of this age presented a variety of challenges. Collaborating with the client, TCi proposed a range of solutions, identifying methods to refurbish some of the existing doors and frames, which minimised the number of new doors and frames required. Using safety film on glazing and window restrictors ensures the building is safe and suitable for occupants.

The site team have been responsive to additional requests, usually centred around making good and providing extra protective features, such as containment cages on air-conditioning, pipes and outside taps.

A boiler replacement was added to the programme during the course of the works. To minimise disruption and safety risk to pupils and staff, the live work was arranged to be delivered outside of term time and incorporated effectively into the schedule.

Throughout the delivery, it has been vital to liaise with client-appointed contractors to handover particular packages including access controls and soft furnishings.

Completion and handover

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Phase 2: Main house

Since the commencement of this phase, TCi has carried out sympathetic repairs and restoration to the main house, as identified in the scope of works, whilst being responsive to developing architectural requirements and new information as more of the structure has been revealed by works.

The roof

Following the design and erection of a full scaffolding envelope to wrap the entirety of the Grade II listed main house, detailed surveys were undertaken to assess the 14 roof sections, 10 chimneys and bespoke dormer windows covered by the listing.

At all times, the team remained mindful of the direction of the conservation officer and historic architectural features, including detailed lead work and timber and stone finials handmade by specialist stonemasons and carpenters.

All refurbishments were deemed compliant with building regulations.

Stable boundary wall

Remedial repairs to the listed stable boundary wall were sequentially programmed to take place during the school holidays, incorporating long lead times for the procurement of bespoke coping stones, carved from the original quarry source.

Science block

Accommodating the school’s needs, the building works to the science block was prioritised to ensure the safety of pupils and staff members and ensuring readiness by the end of the school holidays was a critical deadline on the programme. Phase 2 was completed in a live environment with students on site; to accommodate this, Ofsted standards were always maintained, and DBS checks were completed on all operatives and TCi employees on site, enabling works to move freely.

These incorporated;

• Decommissioning and recommissioning of water, gas, and electrical supply
• Removal of existing equipment
• Making good to provide repurposed classroom space

Internal renovations & restorations

Subsequent works within the main site containment included upgrades to M&E and internal decorations, refurbishment of listed crittal windows and original doors along with a new commercial kitchen facility and dining area.

Restorations took place to the timber flooring, Jacobean staircase and panelling whilst also completing essential repairs, all using traditional construction methods and materials fitting to the Grade II listed building.

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Value engineering

At every stage, TCi seeks opportunities to improve outcomes for the client. In the current economic climate, this usually presents as the mitigation of rising costs of work, such as the chimney restoration. When negotiating, TCi was able to break down the component materials and processes and agree favourable rates which allowed the budget to be held.

Attention to detail was critical in identifying potential clashes and ensuring compliance with the listed building consent order.

Throughout the highly responsive to wider school needs responding quickly and efficiently as emergency incidents occurred ensuring minimal disruption to the school and students.

Extensive negotiations with all relevant parties were conducted throughout to ensure appropriate materials were utilised, ensuring compliance with listed building requirements and authenticity of work.