conservation architects hereford Archives

Kinsham Court

KODA architects secured planning and Listed Building consents for an orangery extension and alteration to this stunning grade II listed house set in rural north Herefordshire. The proposals included preserving and enhancing the historic fabric whilst securing its most optimum and viable use. The scheme included a grand orangery extension, detailed to complement the host building. The methodology of keeping intervention to a minimum and minimising any harmful effects of the development on the surviving fabric has been used in the design, preserving historical significance.

The house stands on a naturally dramatic site overlooking a deep wooded valley in which the River Lugg winds over a cascade.  First built in the early 18th Century for Thomas Harley of a cadet branch of the Harleys of Eywood, Earls of Oxford.  In the 1760s, alterations were made by Thomas Farnolls Pritchard, probably for the Hon. & Rev. John Harley (1728-88), who died here six weeks after becoming Bishop of Hereford.

In the early 20th century the gardens were extensively planted by Sir John Arkwright with the daffodils of which he was a breeder, and there are still many rare varieties in the gardens. Fine examples of decorative plaster by Thomas Farnolls Pritchard remain in the ground floor drawing room and late C18 panelling first-floor drawing rooms and are in excellent condition.

St. John the Baptist Church | Bishops Castle

KODA Architects, the inspecting architects for the upcoming reordering and repairs project of St. John the Baptist Church in Bishops Castle. Situated in the picturesque landscape of South West Shropshire, this historic church holds a rich tapestry of history and serves as a vital hub for community outreach.

Dating back to the medieval period, St. John the Baptist Church stands as a testament to centuries of architectural evolution and spiritual devotion. Its striking architecture, characterized by its sturdy stone construction and intricate details, reflects the craftsmanship of bygone eras. From its soaring spire to its ornate stained glass windows, every element of the church tells a story of faith, resilience, and cultural heritage.

Beyond its architectural grandeur, St. John the Baptist Church has been a cornerstone of community life in Bishops Castle. Over the years, it has served as a gathering place for worship, celebration, and reflection. Its doors have been open to all, offering solace to those in need and fostering a sense of belonging among residents and visitors alike.

The church has played a pivotal role in various community outreach initiatives, ranging from food drives and charity events to cultural programs and educational workshops. It has provided a platform for local artists, musicians, and performers to showcase their talents, enriching the cultural fabric of the region.

As inspecting architects for the church, KODA Architects is honored to spearhead the reordering and repairs project that will ensure the preservation and enhancement of this architectural gem. Our approach is rooted in a deep respect for the historical significance of the building, coupled with a commitment to meeting the evolving needs of the community.

Our comprehensive plans for the project include structural repairs to safeguard the integrity of the building, restoration of key architectural features, and the implementation of modern amenities to improve accessibility and functionality. We aim to create a space that honors the heritage of St. John the Baptist Church while enhancing its capacity to serve as a vibrant center for worship, fellowship, and community engagement.

In collaboration with local stakeholders and preservation experts, we are dedicated to realizing a vision that respects the past while embracing the future. Together, we will ensure that St. John the Baptist Church continues to stand as a beacon of faith, hope, and unity for generations to come.

St. Michael and All Angels Church | Stanton

St. Michael and All Angels Church, located in the picturesque village of Stanton in Gloucestershire, is a site steeped in history and spirituality. The church's origins can be traced back to the 12th century, a testament to the enduring presence of Christian worship in this corner of rural England.

This architectural gem, with its distinctive medieval design and impressive stonework, has served as a focal point for both religious and community life throughout the centuries. Its notable features include a Norman doorway and an exquisite medieval font, offering a glimpse into the skilled craftsmanship of its time.

Stanton Church has witnessed countless generations of residents, celebrating marriages, baptisms, and farewells. With its charming location in the heart of the Cotswolds, this church has become a cherished landmark for locals and a draw for visitors seeking both spiritual solace and historical insight. As the sands of time continue to shift, the St. Michael and All Angels Church remains a testament to the enduring legacy of faith and the significance of its place within the community.

Working on old buildings, especially historic churches like St. Michael and All Angels in Stanton, is a profound pleasure for us as architects. These venerable structures are more than just stone and mortar; they are living links to the past, carrying centuries of history and a sense of timelessness. The opportunity to work on such buildings is an architect's chance to play a role in the preservation of cultural heritage and the continuation of a sacred legacy.

Old churches, in particular, provide a unique canvas for architectural creativity. The challenge of respecting and restoring the original design while incorporating modern elements is a delicate art. It involves a deep appreciation for the craftsmanship of earlier generations and a commitment to ensuring these spaces continue to serve their communities.

The satisfaction of breathing new life into these historical treasures, preserving their architectural and spiritual significance, and witnessing them adapt to contemporary needs is a source of immense pride for architects. It's not merely a profession but a calling to be stewards of our shared history, blending the old with the new in a harmonious way that pays homage to the past while embracing the future.

The Old Rectory | Gloucestershire

KODA architects working closely with a garden designer has developed a new walled garden proposal to this stunning grade II listed former rectory in rural Gloucestershire. The proposals celebrates the seamless fusion of historical charm and modern design in the heart of Gloucester. We are thrilled to share our latest architectural venture – the creation of a walled garden for a listed building, deeply inspired by the collaborative spirit that defines the Chelsea Flower Show.

Inspired by the collaborative and innovative projects showcased at the prestigious Chelsea Flower Show, our team embarked on a journey to create a walled garden that would not only honour the rich history of the 18^th Century former rectory building but also serve as a testament to our close working relationships with our clients and the garden designer.

One of the hallmarks of our project was the close working relationship we fostered with our clients. We recognized that their vision and passion for the walled garden were integral to its success. From the initial concept discussions to the final details, we listened attentively to their ideas and requirements. We were inspired by their enthusiasm for preserving the heritage of the listed building while introducing elements of contemporary design. This collaborative approach ensured that the garden seamlessly integrated with the historical setting. In addition to our clients, we had the privilege of collaborating with a talented garden designer who shared our vision for this project. Drawing inspiration from the artistic and creative displays at the Chelsea Flower Show, the garden designer played a crucial role in bringing a touch of horticultural magic to the walled garden. Their expertise in plant selection, layout, and the use of decorative elements enhanced the overall design.

We were committed to preserving the historical integrity of the listed building, which posed unique challenges. Our collaborative efforts enabled us to strike a balance between the old and the new. The use of period-appropriate materials and techniques was essential, and the garden designer worked in harmony with our architects to ensure that the garden complemented the architecture flawlessly. The end result is a walled garden that harmoniously blends history, innovation, and natural beauty. It stands as a testament to the power of close collaboration and mutual inspiration. The spirit of the Chelsea Flower Show lives on in this exquisite project.

Our Gloucester walled garden project is not just a reflection of our working partnership we share with our clients and the garden designer. Together, we've created a space that encapsulates the timeless beauty of Gloucester's history while embracing the future with open arms.

Stay tuned for more updates on our architectural endeavours.

Conversion of Dinham Hall in Ludlow

KODA architects provided full architectural services for the conversion of a Dinham Hall, a former mansion house into seven unique luxury apartments. Dinham Hall is Grade II listed and is one on Ludlows finest buildings located in the Town centre, just outside of the Castle walls.

Built in 1792, by Samuel Nash for Richard Payne Knight of Downton Castle, the building has a long and interesting history. Once a grand private Georgian home, the building was complimented by a generous garden, ice house, stables and views over Ludlow. The building remained a private house until the mid 20th Century when it was converted into a boarding school with fond memories of former pupils. Recently the building had regained an element of grandeur of its former self in use as a boutique hotel boasting fine dining, to critical acclaim.

KODA Architects submitted planning and Listed Building consent applications for the conversion, provided detail design and full contract administration through to the completion of the project. The project was finished to an extremely high standard creating unique benchmark residencies in Ludlow.

As part of former historic interventions to the property, the building had lost a significant amount of historic detailing including cornice, fireplaces and finer elements such as architraves and doors. As part of the new conversion project, the conservation team at KODA architects replicated historically accurate features to enhance the buildings significance. KODA Architects conservation team are complimented by a wider design team including agent, Fire Engineer, lift manufacturers tanking specialists, and mechanical and electrical Engineers. Part of our appointment included historic mapping of the building and a carefully detailed schedule of repairs and sympathetic interventions to the historic fabric were undertaken.

The new apartments provide unique accommodation with classic Georgian design with the modern benefit of lift access. The refurbishment of the entrance hall grand central cantilever staircase provides a great sense of theater as you enter the building. Each apartment boasts fine historic details, private parking and landscaped gardens together with long reaching views over Ludlow, countryside and of course, the adjacent grade I listed and scheduled ancient monument of Ludlow Castle.

Watch our Instagram for updates of similar projects to this throughout the RIBA stages.

Class Q Barn Conversion

KODA architects working with Tomkins Thomas Planning have successfully secured planning approval for a class Q barn conversion in Herefordshire. The existing barn occupies a unique location near the Black Mountains.

The scheme reuses the original curved form of the Dutch barn roof to form a double height space with mezzanine level. Agricultural materials such as corrugated metal and industrial steel frame have been used in the walls and roof, these are complemented by the insertion of large modern slim profile aluminium windows and doors maximising the exceptional vistas.

Class Q was introduced in 2014 as a form of permitted development designed to help ease the pressure on housing in rural areas. This type of planning permission allows the change of buildings that meet certain criteria from agricultural to residential use. This can often be a creative route to a new home in open countryside which would otherwise be difficult to achieve.

There is more guidance available on Herefordshire Councils website. If you have a redundant agricultural building fulfilling the criteria that you think has the potential to be a striking home in a unique location then please get in touch.

Replacement Dwelling

KODA architects successfully secured planning approval for a replacement dwelling in the Herefordshire countryside. The new 4 bedroom home replaces a former 1970’s bungalow that did not meet the space and layout requirements of our clients family. Furthermore the building is expensive to heat and maintain and moreover costly to upgrade thermally and adapt to meet the families specific space requirements.

The proposal replaces the dated bungalow with a larger 4 bedroom, thermally efficient home meeting our clients living requirements. Local Planning Policy stipulates that a reinstated dwelling should be of a comparable scale of the replaced building. Creating a much larger home presented us with an interesting design challenge. The new home takes the form of a 'H' shaped plan with a partly hidden basement forming a south facing undercroft and courtyard hidden to the wider landscape. Whilst the new home is considerably larger than that it replaces, we worked a with the Local Planning Department in justification for the scheme and finally secured planning approval for the home our clients desired.

The main building takes a traditional form and constructed from local stone and a natural slate pitched roof. In contrast the building utilises large aluminum framed sliding doors and full height windows and furthermore the elevations are punctuated with elements vertical Cedar cladding and frameless balconies.

The layout utilises a double height height entrance hall and gallery staircase. The main ground floor living spaces are interconnected but divided by large sliding walls to create a versatile space. The basement level utilises the sloping site and extends into an undercroft and open courtyard discreetly hidden from view. Correspondingly the attached double garage and carport site below a grass roof that merges discreetly into the topography of the site.

Our client was elated with the result and equally our service, the house is currently under construction and due for completion 2023.

St. Michael and All Angels Church in Hereford

KODAs conservation architects in Hereford were commissioned following a competitive tendering process and work began in investigating the repairs to this magnificent building at the beginning of this summer. As conservation architects in Hereford, working on a magnificent building such as St. Michael and All Angels church is a pleasure. We love investigating historic buildings and how they came about, tracing their history and how they’ve developed over time.

Located in rural Herefordshire, St. Michael and All Angels Church was constructed in the 14^th Century with later alterations in the 15^th and 16^th Centuries. The building is Grade I listed and has very fine medieval glazing featured in the chancel, north and south aisles. The chancel features a very ornate painted wagon vaulted ceiling which was installed as part of the restoration by GF Bodley in 1866-68. The building features fine stone carving throughout with a number of gargoyles, grotesques and label stops, which is great to see.

KODA's Conservation Architect in Hereford Fred Hamer said “Working on this historic building was particularly rewarding. Before we proposed making any repairs or changes, to the historic fabric, we have thoroughly investigated how the building is used and maintained. We have proposed some exciting changed to enhance the buildings significance and conserve the historic fabric were possible and in doing so created a more sustainable building."

A two stage grant application was prepared and submitted to the newly reformed Nation Heritage Lottery Fund. The project was one of the first successful applications to be awarded and was the largest in the region at the time.

Conservation repair works started in April 2021 with the project being awarded following a competitive tender process to Treasure and Sons, based in Ludlow. The specification and repairs were carried out on a priority basis to safe guard the historic fabric against further decay.

The conservation and repair of the fabric started in April this year and we look forward to unveiling the enhanced St. Michael and All Angels Church later this year. We will continue to post out progress on this buildings careful repair on our instagram feed which you can follow @kodaarchitects.

KODAs conservation Architects in Hereford, Fred Hamer said: “at KODA we have a passion for working with historic buildings from all ages. The storey of who built, lived and used these buildings enriches architecture from more than a pile of building materials. This storey is enhanced as we open up historical buildings as we learn more about how and why they were constructed in the manner they were. KODAs conservation architects in Hereford categories their findings as they progress through the construction and uncovering stages which enriches the storey further.”

Useful links:

Hereford times article

Sustainable self-build homes in Ludlow

KODA architects have successfully secured planning approval for 3 new sustainable self-build homes in Ludlow. The site combines an underused hidden parcel of land with part of a large formal garden within the Town. Sustainable design was at the forefront of the brief and the homes are positioned to take full advantage of the southern aspect whilst also affording views of St. Lawrence's Church.

The scheme develops an underutilised urban site to provide high quality housing utilising energy efficiency measures. They are built from highly insulated and sustainable materials. The dwellings are designed with large, glazed wall areas to the south and west elevations benefiting from passive solar gain. The first floor areas include recessed balconies featuring long roof overhangs protecting the bedrooms from excessive solar gain in the summer months. This still allows sunlight to reach the depths of rooms promoting thermal gain in the winter when the sun is lower in the sky. Internal air quality and comfort is supplemented by automated mechanical ventilation and heat recovery, MVHR.

The buildings include standing seam metal mono pitch roofs that reduce impact on the neighbouring amenity but also being orientated to the south and west present an ideal location for the arrays of photovoltaic and solar thermal panels producing heat and power for the homes. Rainwater is collected and harvested on site for re-use in the buildings and gardens.

The development resists temptation to optimise built density in preference the new high quality homes are sited within generous individual plots and will be sold to independent self-builders.

Bastion Mews Hereford

Bastion Mews Hereford is encircled by the Hereford City Wall which was constructed in the 13th Century by Royal decree, getting its name from a defensive bastion which once stood at the site, defending one of four City gates. The site has had many uses in its history with the latest use being home to Shack Revolution and more recently, Bastion Street Feast. Quickly gaining a local reputation for great quality street food the vibrant site has been a huge success for the City.

The proposed new development will build from the already successful Shack Revolution Events space and Bastion Street Feast. The scheme will provide restaurant, office and workshop spaces as well as short term residential accommodation in association with the existing Shack Events venue and their LIVE|WORK|PLAY mantra.

The aesthetic of the site is one of an industrial past which reflects the sites history as one of the manufacturing centres of the City. Originally home to ironworks, the recent success of the site is down to its honesty through great food, drink and simplicity.

To continue the sites enduring success, KODA architects have been appointed to carry out master planning and detailed design to redevelop the site. Working closely with the client and wider team, KODA architects have utilised the industrial aesthetic to develop a mixed use scheme creatively utilising shipping containers. The principle staircase is housed in a container erected vertically bolstering their creative reuse.

Part of the underpinning philosophy of the sites redevelopment a diversity of uses and users. This multi use ideal elaborates on the ethos of the highly successful Bastion Street Feast where different street food vendors pitch up their stalls and sell their high quality food in a sharing and collaborative atmosphere. The masterplan calls for a mixture of live work units as well as recreational areas and amenity space in this highly sustainable location on the edge of the City Center. Complimenting the existing uses of the site, the new proposals are testament to 21st Century design, innovative and flexible to allow them to be easily changed should the site need to in the future.

The industrial aesthetic of the site is the main visual underpinning of the design but supplemented and softened with planting and punctuation with open oak cladding. The proposals were unanimously supported by the Planning Committee and competed in 2023.

Kinsham Court

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Connection to Florence Nightingale and Lord Byron

Conservation Architects in Shropshire

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Conservation Architects Shropshire

Conservation Architects in Gloucestershire

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St. Michael and All Angels Church | Inspecting Architect

The Old Rectory | Gloucestershire

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A Country House

Conversion of Dinham Hall in Ludlow

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Conservation Architects in Ludlow

planning approval for a class Q barn conversion

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What is class Q planning permission?

Planning approved for replacement dwelling in Herefordshire countryside

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Planning approved for new self-build home

Conservation Architects in Herefordshire

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