Case studies

What Did The Job Involve?

What Were The Challenges?

Beardwell’s Added Value

What Did The Job Involve?

Located at the Scout Association World HQ at Gilwell Park, the Gilwell Farmhouse was originally constructed some 500 years ago using a simple timber frame construction. The building had laid derelict for a number of years and the project involved the complete restoration of this Grade II listed property to enable it to be used as a function venue.

Using our own experienced carpenters significant temporary supports had to be installed to allow the structural repairs to be undertaken without the whole collapse of the building. This involved cutting out rotten timber and replacing key main supports and studwork with new.

The roof was completely renovated and retiled using reclaimed roof tiles. Externally the weatherboarding was replaced and significant brickwork repairs undertaken. Internally the property was restored using traditional construction methods including relaying of the brick floor.

What Were The Challenges?

The main challenge involved the design of temporary works. The extent of repair works could only be determined once the external boarding and roof coverings were removed. Our carpenters, who are experienced in renovations of this nature, were able to work with the Engineer to determine a method of temporary support. This required working in sections. The control of the budget was also a key concern and regular financial appraisals were undertaken with the Client’s QS to avoid an overspend.

Beardwell’s Added Value

Located on the existing Scout campus, work was planned to avoid disruption to ongoing operations. Communication was undertaken with park staff on a daily basis. Our carpenters provided specialist advice and sample work. This enabled solutions to be achieved that met both the budget and Heritage Officer approval.

What Did The Job Involve?

Woolverstone Hall comprises a central block with flanking wings connected by colonnades. Built of Woolpit brick, with Coade stone ornamentation, the building still contains the original Adam style fireplaces and ceilings decorated with gold leaf. The main staircase has a wrought-iron honeysuckle balustrade.

Several areas of the existing building, including the Orangery, were refurbished including repairs to walls, ceilings and balustrading. New flooring was provided with improvements to provide better acoustic performance.

A new dining hall extension was constructed using a mixture of traditional and new materials which were symapthetic to the main building. Extensive glazing provides a light and modern facility. Internal refurbishment works were carried during the school holiday periods. The exist-ing kitchen layout was remodelled to suit the new facility and a new commercial kitchen installed.

What Were The Challenges?

The building is Grade I listed and therefore the biggest challenge was to ensure that the specification and methods of working were agreed in advance with the local conservation officer without delaying the project. We then had to ensure that traditional materials and craftsmanship were used to match the existing fabric of the building.

During construction of the new dining hall, a previoulsy unknown 18th century deep water cistern was discovered. This required alterations to substructure works to ensure that the feature was preserved.

The new dining hall was located in a narrow courtyard and access was only possible through an ornamental arched gateway. This imposed restrictions upon the size of vehicles and plant.

Working in a live school meant that noise producing work had to be limited to ‘out of school hours’.

Beardwell’s Added Value

The existing facility was a girls school and care had to be taken not to disrupt teaching or ongoing operations including weekend and holiday activities. This required regular liaison with on-site FM staff.

Pupil visits were entertained throughout the works.

Additional repairs and maintenance were undertaken for the school.

What Did The Job Involve?

The structure of the building underwent a complete overhaul. Both roofs were completely renewed with bespoke timber scissor trusses and finished with new welsh slate; the stonework and tracery were lovingly refurbished or replaced and the existing bell tower was completely rebuilt to the same exacting detail.

The installation of photovoltaic cells, an air source heat pump, rainwater harvester, zoned regulated ventilation, a bio tank, high frequency and LED lighting, triple glazed curtain walling and a BMS monitoring system brings the building into the 21st Century with the building achieving an energy efficiency ‘A’ rating and annual energy costs not exceeding £200.

Let on a 20-year lease local school children and charity organisations regularly use the facility. The North Wing provides a meeting/training room and the South Wing having had ‘state of the art’ computer technology installed provides a modern office facility with interactive presentation boards. The Project was recognised for its success at both local and national level.

What Were The Challenges?

Working on a listed former ecclesiastical building in the centre of Southend presented unique challenges and required daily liaison with heritage officers to ensure the works were completed to their exacting standards.

Working within the confines of a century old cemetery required careful advanced planning to ensure works were undertaken with care and respect.

Our commercial team worked in a true partnering spirit with the client to manage the spend, bringing the project in on budget – a rare event for a project of this nature.

Restricted delivery timescales and a single limited shared access presented logistical challenges. There were no existing building records available which demanded a truly collaborative approach by all the stakeholders to ensure the building was reinstated aesthetically to its original design whilst sympathetically bringing it up to modern standards.

Beardwell’s Added Value

Local resident meetings kept neighbours well informed and were a key factor to ensuring the smooth running of the project. The project was considered a complete success named by the Client as a ‘Beacon Project’ and is now back in the hands of the local community.

Beyond our contractual commitment we provided additional maintenance works within the cemetery grounds including regular grass cutting, rubbish clearance and repairs.

What Did The Job Involve?

New Court is built in Tudor-Gothic style and this court is notable for the large tree in the centre with a myth sometimes being circulated that this was the tree from which the apple dropped onto Isaac Newton.

Work included minor remodelling and extensive refurbishment to provide accommodation for fellows. Work was completed in accordance with Trinity Works Department Specifications and included thermal insulation throughout, provided in an environmentally and economically advantageous manner.

In addition to new heating, lighting, power and data extensive repairs to plastered walls were undertaken along with new dry lining. Works to accommodate the services had to be mindful of the existing fabric where floorboards, lath & plaster finish and stone walls were encountered. Finishes included new flooring and a complete redecoration.

What Were The Challenges?

The challenges included working within a live university with students and the public in close proximity. In addition, the site location is in the centre of Cambridge where deliveries are restricted to certain times of the day. Noise and dust had to be strictly controlled. Moreover, the fact that the project required working within an historic environment involved a sensitive approach at all times.

Whilst our aim was to limit the number of floorboards that were required to be lifted to accomodate new electrical installation this proved impossible. Our carpenters were require to attend to these and ensure that there was no damage caused to either the boards, timber structures or ceilings below.

Beardwell’s Added Value

Production within a historic and sensitive building was a key consideration. Daily liaison was required with College staff. Regular meetings with designers and end-users was required.