Hale has meticulously restored, renovated and extended a beautiful Grade II listed Georgian villa located in a desirable Chelsea terrace.
Modern design with conservation at its heart
Working alongside Jo Cowen Architects and their preferred teams of engineers and interior designers, we completed the 12-month programme to renovate the five-storey, four-bedroom property, including subterranean floors, vaults, garden landscaping and modern glazed extension, rising to the challenges of a site with highly restricted access, very particular conservation requirements and limited space.
Every nook and cranny of the property was considered within the architectural and design schemes to maximise the period features, space, comfort and the owners’ design tastes. Working to heritage and Grade II listing regulations we renovated the entire property, including the four bedrooms, four bathrooms, kitchen, diner, snug, reception and library, working to the exacting standards of the Conservation Officer involved in the project as well as our discerning client.
Bespoke joinery features in most rooms to create stunning focal points and maximise storage, delivering all the modern trappings of a very comfortable family home.
We renovated or replaced door jambs, architrave, skirting, along with all flights of stairs over the five storeys, as well as laying new wooden flooring from Harwoods throughout. We prepared walls and made them ready for De Gourney wallpaper in the master suite and dining room.
The two-storey extension of Maxlight glazing and brickwork we constructed at the rear of the property rises from the lower ground floor to ground floor and houses parts of the bespoke Roundhouse Design kitchen and diner. The uppermost area delivers a bijou office space maximising the garden and rooftop views across Chelsea and Kensington. The space encapsulates the previously external wall and retains the original downpipe and intricate brackets, windows and brickwork to complimentary effect.
We also completed preparatory works for the RHS Chelsea award-winning garden design practice, Kate Gould Gardens. This included extensive excavation, constructing retaining walls with tanking, waste removal and hard landscaping, whilst protecting the olive trees.
“Collaborating with such skilled designers to deliver this ambitious project and meet its exacting standards was a real privilege. Our rigorous processes for quality management and communication came into their own as we successfully co-ordinated works, trades, access, deliveries, storage and the different specialists involved: from joiners and garden designers, plasterers and plumbers to the Conservation Officer and kitchen installers. I’m immensely proud of the whole team’s passion, dedication and hard work in delivering this project and thrilled to receive such glowing testimonials from the project team at Jo Cowen Architects.”
Addressing challenges with collaboration and commitment
One of the main challenges Hale faced throughout the project was to carefully manage the limited access which consisted of only the front door (up five steps), the lower ground floor entrance (down more steps) and the old coal chute. We had to move all old furnishings, waste (including the garden excavation) and miscellany out, then manoeuvre all equipment, materials, fixtures and fittings in, including four fireplaces from Chesneys plus stone hearths and surrounds, bespoke furniture, cabinetry and appliances.
Local restrictions prevented long stay skips, and loading and unloading times were curtailed to certain hours each day each day. As we were responsible for the whole site, it demanded comprehensive logistical planning as well as some quick thinking to facilitate last minute variations.
For safe access to the exterior rear façade to build the extension, including a blue roof, we developed a complex cantilevered scaffolding design over neighbouring properties, including over existing glass roofs and conservation items. We shared the scaffolding design with party wall surveyors and agreed everything with them before we started work. We also checked in with the neighbours on a regular basis to keep them up to speed with the progress of works and make sure they were happy.
Communicating with the Lisbon-based interior design company, and their team at Viterbo, for the refurbishment was essential to deliver the comprehensive interior design scheme properly. Many of the design features were tailor-made off site to be installed later, so Hale communicated regularly and ensured that the detailed drawings and measurements were clearly conveyed and agreed.
For the renovation of this Grade II listed building, we worked closely with the Conservation Officer for the project and encouraged them to make regular site visits to check fine details. We supplied meticulous notes, reports and samples throughout the project to ensure all original materials were maintained and replicated as accurately as possible – from floor joists to coving, downpipes to window shutters. As an example, we produced samples of mortar to find the perfect match for the flush repointing around the entire building.
During the strip out, we uncovered some original coving so carefully took moulds, and reinstated and installed the reproductions. All the original sash windows and shutters were assessed, repaired or restored on site. Externally, all the stucco and plasterwork around the windows was repaired and returned to its former glory.
Sustainable and modern technologies
Alongside the conservation requirements, we fulfilled the local planning requirements with sustainability in mind. Solar PV panels were installed on the main roof and we incorporated a blue roof Sustainable Urban Drainage System (SuDS) on the extension to stop storm surges in a high density urban sewerage system. Working with the engineers at Elite Designers we installed a passive system of interconnected crates to capture and retain all the run-off from the main roof system and subsequently release slowly into the sewerage system.
To meet modern living requirements, and to enhance well-being and safety, we also waterproofed the two subterranean floors (lower ground and raised ground, including the vaults under the pavement), and installed a mist system on the ground and first floors to meet fire safety requirements.