Listed Buildings
Historic buildings deserve an architectural approach that understands them, respects them, and knows how to bring them into the present without losing what makes them special.
Working on a listed building is a different discipline to conventional residential design. Every wall, staircase and window can carry historic significance, and every change must be considered within a planning and conservation framework that exists to protect it. As a conservation-focused architect, our role is to find the design opportunities within these constraints, not simply work around them.
Based in the Bath area, working with historic buildings isn't a specialism we've chosen so much as one that's found us. With Georgian architecture and other historic structures both urban and rural making up so much of the housing stock across Bath and the surrounding area, a genuine understanding of listed buildings is simply necessary to practise well here.
We've worked across a range of historically sensitive buildings, from modest Grade II listed cottages to more significant Grade I listed buildings, and we understand that no two are alike. Each carries its own history, its own vulnerabilities and its own potential. Our approach is grounded in:
A genuine appreciation for the building's history and architectural character
Detailed understanding of what makes a building or feature significant, and what doesn't
An understanding of how a historic building's fabric was originally designed to function, and why that matters when making changes
Sensitivity to materials, proportion and detailing appropriate to the building's period
Early, constructive dialogue with conservation officers
Creative thinking about how contemporary living can sit comfortably alongside historic fabric
Listed building consent is a separate consent to planning permission, and is required for any works that affect a building's special architectural or historic interest, inside or out. Understanding what does and doesn't need consent, and building a strong case for the works you want to carry out, is central to how we work as your listed building consultant.
Our process for listed building projects typically follows this path:
We visit the property to assess its historic fabric, significant features and condition, forming an early view on what is and isn't likely to be supportable.
We open an early dialogue with the local conservation officer, testing our emerging ideas before significant design time is invested.
We develop a design response that balances your brief with the building's heritage constraints, refining this in response to conservation feedback.
We prepare the heritage statement and supporting documentation required for a robust listed building consent application.
We submit the application and manage it through to determination, liaising with the conservation officer as needed.
Where required, we advise on discharging any conditions attached to the consent before work begins on site.
Because heritage projects often carry more planning documentation requirements than a typical residential scheme, we prepare the full suite of information conservation officers expect to see, which may include:
A heritage statement, setting out the building's significance and the impact of proposed works
Detailed drawings showing existing and proposed conditions
Justification for the design approach taken
Photographic surveys and historic research where relevant
Have a listed property you’d like to talk through? Get in touch