Ayesa is a global engineering, technology consulting firm with 12,000 employees, 23 office locations and 630 million euros in revenues. Ayesa, headquartered in Spain is ranked #44 in the Top 225 International Engineering firms of the world according to ENR 2023 and is a Top 10 geotechnical consultant (GEPLUS.co.uk), according to revenues.
Through our work in the UK, we provide high quality, timely and cost-effective engineering, consulting and project management, saving clients considerable amounts of money and time by delivering value-driven solutions.
€649m 12,000+
in turnover (2022)
23 Locations
Our dedicated team of experts based in the UK, focuses on historic and listed building restoration, development, and conservation. Our Conservation Accredited Engineers (CARE) are recognised by the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) and the Institution of Structural Engineers, have successfully protected and revitalized significant historic structures such as St. George’s Church in Bloomsbury, St. Lawrence’s Church in Mereworth, The National Maritime Museum and more recently the award-winning Bank Buildings (Primark) in Belfast. We have seven offices located in the UK, (Belfast, London, Chesterfield, Colfield, Manchester, Guildford, and St. Helens).
staff globally with interconnected skillsets
+70 Disciplines
We have won many prestigious awards for conservation. These include the Georgian Group Architectural Awards (2006, 2009, 2011), Natural Stone Awards (2007), RICS Awards (2008), ACE-RIBA Awards (2010, 2011), Wood Awards (2014), The Stephen Lawrence Prize (2017) and the Civic Trust AABC Conservation Awards (2018).
In addition to our expertise in structural conservation, we offer services in temporary works design, asset protection, environmental impact assessments, geotechnical support, drainage and pavement design, façade retention, and railway consent advice.
We offer the highest standards of design, project management and stakeholder collaboration to realise optimum project solutions. Our engineering consultants are among the very best in their fields. Continuous involvement in challenging projects maintains and enhances our high standards of technical excellence.
Our company is built on relationships and superior client care. We deliver on our unwavering commitment to assist our clients in achieving their desired results. We are agile and responsive and build a collaborative framework across stakeholders for project success.
We invest in our staff to deliver a positive, enriching, safe and empowering work experience at Ayesa. We are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion to provide a place where everyone can thrive. We invest significantly in training and development to keep our staff at the cutting edge of their industry. Our focus is on positively influencing those SDGs most applicable to us in our role as a leading engineering consultant. Everything from CO2 emissions, water reduction, social value, health and wellbeing, community engagement, apprenticeships, and safe working.
Our dedicated team, consisting of some of the most pre-eminent conservation experts, specialise in historic and listed building restoration, development and conservation.
Buildings that have been altered and repaired over hundreds of years do not give up their secrets lightly. Our skill, intensive research, experience, attention to detail and dedication translate into exceptional project delivery. Projects benefit from our extensive knowledge of architectural history, traditional building materials and repair techniques combined with modern technologies. We are seasoned at tackling complex and complicated projects.
Our extensive portfolio includes Pensons Restaurant at The Netherwood Estate, which opened early in 2019 as a Michelin star restaurant. Ayesa has worked on Cornwall Terrace, which overlooks Regent’s Park and 33 Portland Place - one of the finest examples of a Robert Adam designed townhouse. Other references include our work on 900-year-old St. Barts hospital, the stabilisation of the East Lodge building at Nunhead Cemetery and the conservation of a Martello Tower and other defence emplacements along the Northern Ireland coastline. Our teams also specialise in assessing, restoring, and refurbishing historic barns and other neglected buildings countrywide.
Our approach is deeply rooted in the principles of SPAB (Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings), emphasizing conservative repair and the retention of existing structures whenever possible, with new additions only introduced when appropriate. This philosophy is evident in our projects, where we conduct thorough research to understand the construction, previous alterations, and any adverse effects from past usage. Through meticulous visual inspections and targeted exploratory works, we investigate the structural fabric.
We believe in a pragmatic approach that combines engineering expertise, experience, and attention to detail, while respecting the historic fabric and ensuring commercial viability. By embracing conservation principles and a proactive mindset, we have successfully revitalized numerous landmark historic buildings and sites. Our multidisciplinary team offers a holistic perspective, and we are passionate about preserving heritage. Whether through asset protection, adaptive reuse, or redevelopment, including post-fire recovery like the iconic Primark Bank Buildings in Belfast, we aim to help heritage assets preserve their past and shape their future.
Another example of our work includes extensive surveying for the HS2 Crossrail project, assessing the impact of tunnelling on 170 Listed Buildings and 80 Listed Monuments within the “1mm settlement corridor” of the line. Our scope extended beyond evaluating structural robustness, as we delved into the protection and mitigation of historic features, recommending appropriate measures to safeguard their integrity.
Jeremy Foster, Technical Director of Ayesa
“We are delighted to be collaborating with The National Trust providing engineering support to the protection and celebration of places we all treasure. Cherishing heritage is part of our DNA at Ayesa, and we recognise the interconnected and shared love of special places amongst individuals, communities, local agencies, and councils. Everyone has vital inputs to make into their future. This is a shared journey as we work together to conserve our precious heritage.”
Places of Worship
Commercial Heritage
Scheduled Monuments
Heritage Consultation Conservation Engineering Condition Surveys
Sympathetic Strengthening & Repairs Listed Building Consents
Impact Assessments
Forensic Engineering
Ecclesiastical Commissions
Residential Heritage
Estates & Country Homes
Heritage Surveys & Asset Protection
Investigations & Diagnoses
Structural Engineering
Expert Witness Services
Refurbishment & Re-Ordering
“We have experience in all aspects of structural engineering. Heritage is our passion, attending to listed buildings, and working closely with clients on the most sensitive of projects with a focus on true sustainability.”
JEREMY FOSTER, TECHNICAL DIRECTOR
At Ayesa, we have a deep-seated appreciation of conservation complexities. This understanding extends beyond technical considerations and best practices into other specialist subjects, positively impacting outcomes and projects. Our knowledge of legislation, cultural protection, and our experience and existing relationships with Conservation Officers, Diocesan Advisory Committees, party wall surveyors, and many stakeholders allow effective risk mitigation and conflict resolution. Our team of expert advisors will unlock potential and resolve issues effectively to ensure project success.
Working alongside the conservation architect, we identify the heritage significance through meticulous on-site investigation and interrogation of record information. Understanding the building, its provenance, inherent strengths and challenges enable us to formulate the most appropriate strategy. Our knowledge of how important buildings are to cultures and communities provides a holistic conservation engineering approach, developing sympathetic solutions which respect the environment and the conflicting needs of stakeholders. Ultimately this treatment of heritage assets, appropriate to its environment and users, ensures that the building has a sustainable future and a special place in society for years to come. Heritage assets connect our communities and offer a postcard to the future by providing that essential connection to the past.
Legal cases involving property are often intricate and complex, requiring collaboration between lawyers, stakeholders, building owners, Party Wall Surveyors and SMEs (Subject Matter Experts). With several conservation-accredited engineers, our knowledge and of structural heritage in the context of disputes ensures superior outcomes. We have provided structural expert opinions in numerous cases, allowing clarity and ease of understanding on the legal position/disposition of the physical asset. Whilst we are not Party Wall Surveyors, we have vast experience working alongside and advising Party Wall Surveyors and are well versed in the Party Wall etc. Act of 1996.
Our experts have expert knowledge of the mechanisms of collapse and building degradation in respect of materials and building construction. This expertise is vital when addressing heritage structures, whether intact or in the wake of a catastrophic event, developing appropriate remedial solutions to maximise salvage and re-use, and mitigating risks. Our portfolio of work and our reputation have resulted in projects throughout the UK and internationally in Ireland and the Middle East.
Integration of our BIM expertise across projects can help benefit design, programme and cost controls.
Our conservation team has contributed significantly to the conservation, protection and adaptation of internationally acclaimed places of worship. Highlights from our portfolio include the Grade I listed St George’s Church in Bloomsbury, St Lawrence’s Church in Mereworth, St George’s Church in Hanover Square and the Grade II* St. Patricks Church in Soho London.
Services provided include:
• Full civil engineering design and structural engineering
• Reordering and refurbishment
• New developments
• Stabilisation and strengthening
• Impact and structural assessments
• Forensic engineering and fire damage
• Specialised conservation techniques
We have partnered with leading architects to offer a holistic approach, combining sympathetic refurbishment with innovative design. Our team can help our clients make the right decisions such as increasing comfort and space, introducing energy-saving measures, or adding necessary modernising features, such as disabled access or traffic studies. We also help repurpose and redevelop places of worship to facilitate community gathering, charity work, cafes and events.
We take pride in making that difference to projects - such as our work on Ettington Park Chapel in Warwickshire, a 13th century, Grade I ruin. Our final solution stabilised the structure, reduced risks and added visually to its appearance, which will improve over time. A significantly out of vertical wall represented a significant risk to the 800-year old structure. Working with the architect, our conservation team proposed a remotely placed pad and a raking strut in Corten steel which would seamlessly blend in with the adjacent trees and foliage. tree walkway in Kew Gardens by Marks Barfield Architects.
St Peters, Peterchurch, UK
St James, Sussex Gardens, UK
St. George’s Hanover Square is a splendid Grade I church, which was built between 1721-1724 to the designs of John James, as one of the fifty churches built by Queen Anne’s Act of 1711. St George’s follows Wren’s ideal plan for Anglican churches, where visibility and audibility were supremely important, with a spacious nave with aisles, above which are carried galleries on three sides. The structure of the church has remained, but the furnishings have been much modified.
Ayesa have been involved in multiple works on St Georges, Hanover Square, on repairs and improvements to the interior. Working alongside Molyneux Kerr, the Ayesa team initially provided conservation engineering advice on the Church, carrying out condition surveys of the roof and ceiling timbers and advising on discreet strengthening remediation works. Fractures in the north wall were also repaired.
Subsequently, Ayesa were appointed to produce working drawings and details for a new access to the original undercroft. Excavating the strip of land between the church and the adjoining buildings, allowed for the development and creation of a new part basement, a lift shaft and a new lobby entrance all within the required space. An original stone stair was re-arranged with a doorway opened at mid-height.
Our long and detailed experience of Georgian churches meant that we were well placed to provide informed, sensitive, and straightforward advice on the repairs and alterations to this prestige historic asset, and are delighted that that St George’s Hanover Square is the third such project to receive the Georgian Group Award for work to a Georgian church.
Location: London
Capital Value: Undisclosed
Project Name: St George’s, Hanover Square
Country: UK
Client: PCC of St George’s, Hanover Square
St George’s Bloomsbury is one of the twelve churches designed under the 1711 Act of Parliament for building Fifty New Churches, and was the sixth and final London church designed by the leading architect of the English Baroque, Nicholas Hawksmoor. The church was built between 1716 and 1731, but has been much altered over the years. Laid out on the traditional east-west axis, on a very congested site to a novel and complex floor plan, the orientation was changed to north-south as early as 1780.
The condition of St George’s Church deteriorated over the years and Ayesa London was appointed the conservation project. The works included repairing the stonework inside and out, returning the undercroft to full use and reordering the church to east-west. The roof was fully repaired and recovered. Ayesa London completely re-organised the building services to incorporate a plant room in an available but otherwise unused space in the tower. This project has won numerous awards for architecture, conservation and craftsmanship.
Our extensive experience of Georgian buildings enabled us to make an autorotative assessment of the structure, devise sensitive conservation repairs and assist the sculptor in the replacement of the heraldic beasts removed in 1886.
Location: London, UK
Capital Value: Undisclosed
Project Name: St George’s Bloomsbury
Country: UK
Client: PCC of St George’s Bloomsbury
Awards:
Wood Awards 2008 - Best use of British Timber
RICS Awards 2008 - Craftsmanship in Conservation
Natural Stone Craft Awards 2007 - Monuments and Carving
Georgian Group Architectural Awards 2006 - Restoration of a Georgian Church
The Natural Stone Awards 2006 - Craftsmanship
The first St. James’ church was consecrated in 1843 but was replaced in the early 1880s when the congregation exceeded its capacity. The current Grade II* listed Gothic Style church building was designed by the architect G. E. Street and opened in 1882.
Owing to the lack of space, Street turned the church completely around, so that the liturgical east-end became the geographical west-end and constructed the new church over and around the existing one. Brick barrel crypts had been laid underneath the original church and were broken thorough in the 1880s to install foundations for columns supporting the new structure above.
In this modern redevelopment, Ayesa provided a structural scheme to convert the narrow chambers of the crypt to an open plan area for a day nursery and Community Hall. This required the removal of all of the brick walls supporting the vaulted crypt roof and replacing the support they offered with a completely new structural layout.
This project required rigorous investigation into the load paths of the supporting members of the church. Ayesa’s design employed steel cradles hung from reinforced concrete beams cast in the floor above and provided a sequence of works to ensure the structural integrity of this magnificent building while the work was carried out.
Experience of vaulted structures and Victorian architecture enabled a perceptive solution for removal of the supporting walls in the undercroft.
Location: London
Capital Value: £300k
Project Name: St James’ Sussex Gardens
Country: UK
Client: PCC of St James Sussex Gardens
Our experts have extensive experience in residential projects varying from large-scale, complex, multi-occupancy, new developments to one-off domestic residences and major extension works. Our teams have developed expert knowledge in the care, repair and adaptation of historic residential buildings and designing new buildings at historically sensitive sites.
Whether designing purpose-built dwellings or adapting existing buildings to accommodate domestic life, we balance historical preservation with sensitive adaptation to deliver beautiful homes that cherish classical design and embrace modern-day living. Our pragmatic approach to design means every project must proceed in accordance with its particular set of requirements and imperatives. When working on listed buildings or conservation areas, we aim to respect and retain historical features and supplement them with contemporary interventions, where appropriate.
Our team understand the challenges of maximising the potential of heritage residential while working within the tight constraints of an urban environment. We have designed many new basements and roof expansions above and below for fine historic homes in Kensington & Chelsea, Mayfair, Belgravia, Fitzrovia, Westminster and other prominent locations.
The Paynes Hay Farm project entailed the conservation and re-purposing of this Grade II listed early 18th century farmstead, into a high-end domestic residence.
The complex includes the refurbishment of the Dairy Annex and Coach House into ancillary living areas, adjoining a new build four-bedroom cottage. The historic staddle stone granary has been transformed into a new children’s playroom with retention of all historic features. The pigsty, bull pen and open sided barn have been repurposed into a carport and bat loft. The coach house and hayloft have been partially rebuilt, and a swimming pool added, all the while maintaining the original features and rebuilding in traditional Green Oak framework and weatherboard cladding.
The farmhouse was suffering with inappropriate alterations and lack of maintenance. This has now been stabilised and repaired using traditional techniques and matched materials.
Ayesa provided conservation, civil and structural engineering designs. The Dairy Annex and Coach House were repurposed into additional living areas with a swimming pool. The historic granary was converted into a new children’s playroom, the development sympathetically retained all historic features.
Our team focused on traditional detailing and extensive investigations to maximize the historic fabric and character of the farmstead, while affording and alternative sustainable future. by leading construction with the use of matched materials and techniques, we not only implemented best practices, but also reduced the embodied energy of the project and minimized the carbon footprint
Location: Ramsey
Capital Value: £8m
Project Name: Paynes Hay Farm
Country: UK
Client: Undisclosed
Ayesa London were appointed as the Consulting Structural Engineers, for the redevelopment and conversion of this grade II listed Chapel into two high specification residential properties. The King’s Chapel was built in 1841 and is located on Fulham Road in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea.
Our Ayesa team in London provided Structural engineering advice on the works. This included the addition of an external glass ‘Conservatory’ construction and excavation works for the creation of two separate swimming pools, one at basement level and one at ground level. Along with ‘Plant Rooms’ and ‘Residential Accommodation’ for each of the residential units. Internally, new steel framing achieved 10 metres clear spans for the floors was built inside the shell of the chapel to form the upper level accommodation.
Location: London
Capital Value: Undisclosed
Project Name: The King’s Chapel, Sloane Building
Country: UK
Client: Undisclosed
Constructed between 1863-1877, this Grade II listed six-storey terraced building located in Cornwall Gardens, South Kensington includes a basement and mansard. The brief awarded to Ayesa was to divide the property into six high specification flats with lift access. The aim of the scheme was to develop the property to its highest potential in terms of floor space and finish quality to enhance the revenue of the property.
The scope of works included replacing the existing shallow mansard with a new steel framed mansard, creating a large open plan fifth floor space with access via a large electronic rooflight to a roof terrace over. The existing reinforced concrete staircase between ground and first was refigured to accommodate additional space under. New open plan spaces throughout the property required detailed design, most notably within the basement under a traditional brick arched entranceway. Repairs including the levelling of floors, improvement of timber joist bearings, provision of noggins and some general brickwork repairs.
A new lift shaft was designed to be independent from the floor structure to minimise vibration impacts, thus preserving the structural integrity of the building.
Location: London
Capital Value: Undisclosed
Project Name: Cornwall Gardens
Country: UK
Client: Undisclosed
Well restored heritage buildings are highly desired as business, leisure, entertainment or retail premises as they provide instant character and prestige. Our teams offer innovative and bespoke solutions, repairing, adapting and optimising historically sensitive assets, creating remarkable buildings for our clients, ranging from developers, architects, public and local authorities, frameworks to private individuals.
Our Conservation Engineering consultants specialise in all aspects of historical and commercial building maintenance and repair. Our knowledge of national planning and heritage conservation policies combined with conservation principles and fresh thinking has unlocked the potential of numerous historic buildings and sites. We have repurposed heritage buildings such as disused industrial spaces, warehouses, mills and farm/out-house buildings. omplex steel framing to support the entire width of the old warehouse to create an open-plan space with maximum natural light. Other portfolio highlights include the restoration of Penson Barn, where our team guided the redevelopment of the declining 200-year-old farm buildings into a series of retail outlets and a Michelin Star restaurant.
Our heritage specialists can tackle projects holistically by drawing on our in-house structural engineering, risk and impact assessment and temporary works and BIM teams to provide comprehensive structural engineering advice under one roof. At Langley Park House, we provided complete structural engineering and conservation design to transform a Grade II listed house and estate into a luxury 5-star hotel resort, including a new below-ground spa space.
Historic buildings benefit from a pragmatic approach based on experience, research, engineering judgement and attention to detail. We aim to maintain a balance between respect for the historic fabric and the need for commercial viability and modernisation such as solar panels, heat pumps and telecommunications infrastructure.
We have extensive knowledge of historical materials and techniques and good working relationships with Historic England, Conservation Officers and amenity societies, which helps supports our clients through all stages of their heritage development.
Paper Mill Studio, London, UK
St. Mary’s at Quay Church is a Grade II* listed building in Ipswich which was built on marshland and left vacant for over 100 years. During this time, the church suffered significant movement and in 1960, massive concrete buttresses were installed to prop the south wall of the nave which had developed significant outward distortion.
The project won the ‘Civic Trust AABC Conservation Award’ in 2018, for a project that demonstrates the highest standards of historic building conservation and makes an outstanding contribution to the quality and appearance of the built environment.
Our Ayesa team of conservation experts were appointed by The Churches Conservation Trust for the renewal and repair works to this Grade II listed building.
Phase 1 involved repairs to the existing, but seriously decayed, splendid hammer-beam roof and flint faced rubble stone walls. Phase 2 included sympathetic structural works. allowing the removal of the unsightly concrete buttresses and insertion of a steel framed mezzanine to facilitate its new use by local charity - Suffolk Mind.
Location: Ipswich
Capital Value: £5.1m
Project Name: Quay Place
Country: UK
Client: Churches Conservation Trust
Awards:
The project won the ‘Civic Trust AABC Conservation Award’ in 2018, for demonstrating the highest standards of conservation and making an outstanding contribution to the built environment.
Pensons Barn is located in Stoke Bliss, Tenbury Wells. It consists of five barns dating back from the 19th and 20th century, including a typical 20th century post-war “Dutch Barn” steel construction. None of the barns are listed structures. Following a previous inspection, the barns were deemed deteriorated beyond practical use apart from small areas for storage. Ayesa London were involved in developing a scheme to restore the declined structures and introduce new elements to the barns capable of supporting a new commercial role.
Our expert engineers at Ayesa in London, provided a structural engineering inspection and advice on the structural aspects of the proposed retention and re-use. The intention of the Netherwood Estate and Communion Architects was to create a series of retail and restaurants around the courtyard, covered by one of the 20th century barns. This 20th century building was substantially removed, all of the older buildings were repaired and re-used. Where appropriate small areas of new building were inserted to improve circulation and provide a sense of enclosure to the courtyard.
Our unique experience on providing Conservation Engineering planning support to the re-use of redundant farm building helped with the grant of planning permission and our understanding of historic rustic construction benefited the design and construction of repairs and transformation to create a high-end restaurant.
Location: London
Capital Value: Undisclosed
Project Name: Paper Mill Studio
Country: UK
Client: Netherwood Estate
Pensons Barn is located in Stoke Bliss, Tenbury Wells. It consists of five barns dating back from the 19th and 20th century, including a typical 20th century post-war “Dutch Barn” steel construction. None of the barns are listed structures. Following a previous inspection, the barns were deemed deteriorated beyond practical use apart from small areas for storage. Ayesa London were involved in developing a scheme to restore the declined structures and introduce new elements to the barns capable of supporting a new commercial role.
Our expert engineers at Ayesa in London, provided a structural engineering inspection and advice on the structural aspects of the proposed retention and re-use. The intention of the Netherwood Estate and Communion Architects was to create a series of retail and restaurants around the courtyard, covered by one of the 20th century barns. This 20th century building was substantially removed, all of the older buildings were repaired and re-used. Where appropriate small areas of new building were inserted to improve circulation and provide a sense of enclosure to the courtyard.
Our unique experience on providing Conservation Engineering planning support to the re-use of redundant farm building helped with the grant of planning permission and our understanding of historic rustic construction benefited the design and construction of repairs and transformation to create a high-end restaurant.
Location: Tenbury Wells
Capital Value: Undisclosed
Project Name: Pensons
Country: UK
Client: Netherwood Estate
Our award-winning, multi-disciplinary practice has over 50 years experience advising historic building owners, architects, engineers and developers on the conservation and adaptation of heritage buildings and landscapes to international bestpractice standards. Our aim is to breathe new life into country homes and estates. Restoration and regeneration of country homes and estates often present structural challenges and require extensive repair works spanning many different areas, including foundations, walls, historic masonry, stairways, turrets, metal piling, steel frames, ornamental stonework, intricate scaffolding and supporting structures. Our conservation engineering consultants treat each conservation and restoration project individually. Our project portfolio expresses the artisan services we deliver, defined by detailed research, care and precise attention to detail.
Built in 1755, Langley Park House is a Grade II* listed 18th Century house and estate surrounded by grounds landscaped by Capability Brown. The house was built as a private residence for the third Duke of Marlborough, and remained as a private family residence until the Second World War, during which time the park and buildings were requisitioned for use by the Home Guard and as a billet for Polish soldiers. The recent project has seen the house and estate transformed into a luxury 5-star hotel which features eight treatment rooms, a fitness centre and a restaurant and bar.
The Ayesa team of expert engineers in London provided full structural engineering and conservation design for this impressive project. We worked with Brookfield Multiplex and Gibberd Architects on the renewal, renovation, and conversion of the building from its most recent use as offices, to a luxury 5-star hotel. The scheme also involved a new below-ground spa facility redesignation of the Grade II Winter Garden as a function venue. The new spa building is completely hidden beneath the car park and landscaping, and connected to the main house and winter gardens below ground.
Introducing a large below ground spa complex alongside the listed building in proximity to the lake was technically challenging requiring intricate coordination with our temporary works and geotechnical teams. Thorough investigations enabled a complete picture of parameters through the design and construction phases. This minimised the temporary works, allowing a clearer / safer site and reduced impact on the heritage. This co-ordinated approach was extended through consultation with stakeholders allowing our environmental team to address contamination concerns and our water team to mitigate proximity issues with the lake. We pride ourselves in the ability to draw upon not just a range of skillsets but the drive and flexibility to problem-solve outside of the technical parameters.
Location: Buckinghamshire
Capital Value: £30m
Project Name: Langley Park House Hotel
Country: UK
Client: Arab Investments
Cherishing Heritage
Monuments are postcards of the past, characterised by their rarity, uniqueness and originality, and our passion at Ayesa Conservation is to preserve them, so they remain with us for many more centuries. In the United Kingdom, a scheduled monument is a nationally important archaeological site or historic building protected against any unauthorised changes.
We have been instrumental in preserving the future of many landmark buildings, sites and scheduled monuments. The dovecote at Charleston Manor is a circular structure dating from around 1220. It had retained its characteristic original features but had deteriorated into poor condition following water damage and previous crude repairs. Ayesa worked closely with the appointed architects to inspect the existing fabric. We provided detailed conservationfocused repairs to the complicated ancient roof structure and cellular nesting boxes, which were successfully approved by the English Heritage Inspector of Ancient Monuments.
Cleopatra’s Needle in London is a well-known 3500-year-old Landmark and a Grade I listed structure. The City of Westminister appointed Ayesa to advise on its structural condition and to recommend appropriate specialist conservation to ensure stability and condition. Working on such projects as the 17th Century (Grade II*) Maltings at Thomas Alleyne School, it is a privilege to assess and stabilise this English heritage monument, enabling its removal from the ‘Buildings at Risk’ register for the first time in years.
Essentially our philosophy is that of the SPAB (Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings): using conservative repair, i.e., retaining the existing structure where practicable and the insertion of any new additions only when essential. We conduct careful research of the building’s history, any earlier alterations and conduct visual inspections of the structural fabric to inform our strategy for repair.
Our conservation engineering consultants have expert knowledge of materials and construction and understand the mechanisms of potential collapse and building degradation. This experience is vital when addressing heritage structures, whether intact, or in the wake of a catastrophic events to develop appropriate remedial solutions to maximise salvage and mitigate any future risks.
The Maltings, Thomas Alleyne School, Stevenage, UK
The Maltings, Thomas Alleyne School, Stevenage, UK
The dovecote at Grade II* Charleston Manor, circular in form and dating from about 1220, had retained its characteristic original features but had deteriorated into poor condition, following water damage and previous crude repairs.
Ayesa worked closely with Peter Inskip and Peter Jenkins Architects to inspect the existing fabric. We provided detail conservation-focused repairs to the complex ancient roof structure, and cellular nesting boxes to the approval of the English Heritage Inspector of Ancient Monuments.
Location: Cuckmere Valley, Seaford
Capital Value: Undisclosed
Project Name: Charleston Manor Dovecote
Country: UK
Client: Peter Inskip and Jenkins Architects
The protection of heritage assets sits at the heart of our communities. Ayesa London assesses the condition and advises protection strategies for heritage assets that are vulnerable either from developments (which in cities may include construction above and below ground - such as underground rail, stations and tunnels) or from fire and flood or a result of past alterations and additions over the years.
HS2 - The southern section of the HS2 Crossrail from Euston to West Ruislip Portal traces a route directly through 170 Listed Buildings and 80 Listed Monuments. Ayesa’s Conservation Team has been engaged to undertake the survey work of each and every one of these heritage assets, assessing the tunnelling impacts on those structures that sit with the ‘1mm settlement corridor’. Our HS2 brief goes beyond identifying structural robustness, it delves into historic features and attributes to recommend protection and mitigation measures that preserve the heritage.
St. Stephen’s Rosslyn Hill - is a remarkable, recently restored Grade I neo-gothic church situated on a steep slope beside the Royal Free Hospital. Our team was appointed to monitor the potential effects and damage caused by groundworks at the hospital.
St Mary Abchurch - The present church is by Sir Christopher Wren and dates from 1681-6. The church is grade I listed and is noted for its grand interior timber framed dome, lined with plaster and highly decorated. The Bank Station Capacity upgrade scheme included a new running tunnel about 23m below ground level and directly under St Mary Abchurch. Ayesa’s role included a detailed study of the building and the considerable body of documentation assembled by LUL’s advisors and contractors, advice on behalf of the church on the likely effects of the tunnelling, assessment of the proposed mitigation measures to the window openings and the timber framed dome. Sophisticated real time monitoring systems were installed including a unique application of a specialised fibre optic cable which could detect infinitesimal changes in length, both on the main walls and around the dome to provide a much greater than normal body of knowledge about the behaviour of an 18th C building to below ground disturbance.
Consecrated in 1893, ‘St. Patrick’s Church’ is a Grade II* listed Roman Catholic church, on the site of an earlier building, which had been in use as a place of worship since 1802. The current building was designed by John Kelly of Kelly and Birchall Architects. To the front right-hand side of the church is a house dating back to 1791, which was retained and continues in use as the presbytery. In 2010-2012 Ayesa designed a scheme that greatly extended the usable floor area by excavating beneath the nave to extend the existing partial basement to the full plan area of the building.
From the outset, it was known that the adjacent London Underground (LUL) Tottenham Court Road station would be extended to a depth of 43m only 2m away from the church and that the Crossrail tunnels would be bored directly beneath. Later on, the extensive site cleared for the station would be redeveloped as retail and offices with a new theatre to replace the demolished “Astoria”. All these works were carried out under the authority of an act of parliament, The Crossrail Act 2008, so that building owners had little say or defense in what was to be done or how they might be affected.
Ayesa’s role was to act as an informed and robust advocate for the church, to protect the building, and the safety of the users. To allow the work of the parish to continue uninterrupted, to review the monitoring processes; of which there were nine, to ensure that there was a clear record of condition, to resolve day-to-day matters with Crossrail and LUL, and to assist with agreeing to a satisfactory outcome.
Structural cracking did occur during the works, and a financial settlement was agreed with Crossrail. Ayesa prepared a schedule of structural repairs to make good the damaged walls and arches. The new commercial developments on the cleared site over the underground station are nearing completion (late 2021) and damage from these will be resolved after following this.undertook the contaminated land assessment and made recommendations for the clean-up and redevelopment of the site.
Location: London
Capital Value: Undisclosed
Project Name: St Patrick’s Church, Soho SquareCrossrail Development
Country: UK
Client: St. Patrick’s Catholic Church
We have worked on various projects at St. Bart’s Hospital over the past two decades. In 2004 and 2005, our £13.5m west wing refurbishment was awarded ‘NHS Best Patient Environment Award’ and the ‘City Heritage Award.’ It serves as an exemplary project for other NHS Trusts and project managers. In 2005, the trust embarked on a major redevelopment, where our team worked with Skanska and HOK to explore solutions for old and new buildings, sharing conservation skills and practices. The 7,000 square foot development provides patients with a light, airy, relaxed experience, seamlessly merging history and functional modernity. More recently, In partnership with Kier Construction (as part of a £35m PPI), we were appointed to refurbish three buildings at this landmark hospital.
