The UK has a rich and varied architectural history. Unfortunately, many such buildings are deemed surplus to requirement and allowed to fall into disrepair. But this doesn’t have to be their fate and increasingly, architects with vision, are adapting them to other uses, many being converted to provide homes with character.
Three Social Housing projects recently undertaken by Selectaglaze, the UK’s leading secondary glazing specialist, demonstrate how some unique buildings have been successfully adapted whilst retaining many original features. Two are Victorian - a former school near Bristol and a London Police Station – while the third was a Thames Dockyard Rum and Tobacco Warehouse dating back to the time of Sir Francis Drake.
Northleaze Primary School - now Gunston House
Built in 1862, Northleaze Primary School originally consisted of 2 classrooms and the Master’s house but now provides 5 unique apartments, several with mezzanine open plan bedrooms and all retaining fixtures and features of the original school. The handsome windows, much in gothic style, had to be retained but there was also a critical need to improve thermal insulation and meet Building Regulation standards and the local authority’s Conservation Officer agreed to the use of secondary glazing. Selectaglaze produced a range of complementary hinged, fixed and sliding panels incorporating specialist low emissivity glass to minimise heat loss. The secondary glazing has also markedly reduced ambient noise levels and met the requirements of Secured by Design.
Shooters Hill Police Station - now Old Bill Court
Constructed on the site of an old Gibbet, the former Police Station was built in two stages spanning the Victorian and Edwardian era and is located at a key point in the Woolwich Common Conservation Area. These locally listed buildings now provide 35 shared ownership homes, 18 of which are sited within the former Police buildings. The original single glazed windows were either refurbished or replaced with like-for-like with Selectaglaze producing 128 secondary glazed sliding and hinged units providing improved thermal insulation and protection against traffic noise.
Royal Naval Dockyards - now Pepys Estate
The Dockyard was officially founded in 1513 by Henry VIII but had been the site of Royal ship repairs since 1420. By 1869 the Dockyard was unable to launch ships due to the silting of the Thames so was restricted to ship building and distribution of stores to other yards and fleets abroad. The site is now occupied by the Pepys Estate (named after the famous 17th century diarist who often visited the Dockyard when he was Clerk to the Navy Board).
Three Grade II listed buildings, the former Naval Administration Office and Rum and Tobacco Warehouse have seen a total of 65 apartments constructed inside their walls, with a mix of housing association social rent and leasehold homes. Because of the buildings listed status work had to be carried out sympathetically and with the approval of English Heritage. Selectaglaze was commissioned by Apollo Property Services Group Ltd. to design systems that carefully matched the traditional sash windows, most of which have arched heads. The resulting installation has improved insulation levels producing the more comfortable and peaceful environment required by the owners and landlord, The Hyde Group.
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