Architect: Apg Architects
Client: Avon Wildlife Trust
Main Contractor: Ken Biggs Contractors Ltd

Requirements 

The brief was to sympathetically restore and renovate the 18th century farm buildings into a modern and welcoming 20th century wildlife and environmental centre.

The farmhouse and outbuildings were to be transformed into study centres, conference rooms, restaurants and rustic bothy-style visitor accommodation. Care was taken to restore the original buildings to as close to their original form as possible. The contract also required several new buildings including a reception building to link the two parts of the site together.

Externally the requirement was to restore the landscape around to what was once there by reconstructing streams and planting trees. Care was required to preserve and maintain the wildlife surrounding the site as this was to be one of the most important aspects of the new centre.

A major requirement by our client was that the construction of the site was carried out with the environment and green issues in mind.

Construction

The 67 week contract began with partial demolition of the dilapidated barns followed by their reconstruction using the existing original materials as far as possible.

Full refurbishment of a range of farm buildings then commenced with the restoration of the external stone fabric to include repair to the existing stonework and repointing throughout, blended with the introduction of larch boarding. Windows were refurbished where possible. Roofing works then began and roof tiles were generally reused with new clay tiles brought in to compliment the existing. Roof timbers were repaired in-situ and new timbers in either Elm or Oak were introduced as required by the Structural Engineer. Wildlife features such as bat tiles and bird doors were incorporated.

Internal renovations then began to make the buildings fully functional once again, to our client’s requirements. Lime plaster was used in the repairs. New mechanical and electrical services were installed throughout using modern eco systems including a biomass boiler housed in a purpose built clay block building, grey water recycling and solar panels. Decorations were carried out using eco friendly paints. Kitchens were made from recycled materials and natural materials were used in floor coverings.

Externally boundary walls were repaired/rebuilt with existing stone salvaged from demolitions. Landscaping was then carried out to compliment the existing surroundings. Car parking areas and courtyards were formed with local gravel to soften the landscape.

Value £2.65 million