MARTIN ASHLEY ARCHITECTS
MARTIN ASHLEY ARCHITECTS
Martin Ashley Architects practice as architects and surveyors highly specialised in the field of historic building conservation, adaptive re-use, alteration and extension, and new design and construction, towards transformational change in the context of our clients’ sensitive historic buildings and estates. For many years we have been privileged to work discretely for some of the most significant historic building owners and estate holders in Britain. Assisting by working collaboratively with our clients towards their needs and aspirations. Helping them to procure, manage and programme specialist teams of consultants, contractors, suppliers, conservators, and craftspeople towards achieving award-winning outcomes, often continuously within the public view. The following pages show some glimpses of projects where we have been privileged to serve.
Buckingham Palace - Restoration of the Quadrangle East Elevation The stonework of this elevation constituted a significant problem from soon after its construction in 1847. Working closely with The Royal Household Property Section to analyse primary problems with the Caen Stone façade, removing 150 years’ worth of over-paint and undertaking extensive stone restoration over two years to restore the original appearance. Ground-breaking in that works were permitted at the Palace whilst the Court was in residence. Winner of Restoration of a Georgian Building in an Urban Setting, Georgian Group Awards 2008 • Winner of Repair and Restoration Category, Stone Federation Awards 2009 • Winner of Repair and Restoration Category, The Masons Livery Company Awards 2011
The College of St George, and St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle As Surveyor of the Fabric since 1999, Martin Ashley and his Practice have been assisting the Dean and Canons of Windsor to maintain and improve their truly historic Estate. Ongoing rolling programmes of refurbishment to lead roofs, stonework and associated repairs, conservation cleaning and re-presentation of interiors, new furnishings and fittings, accessibility initiatives, new infrastructure including sound reinforcement, fire detection, external lighting etc.
Winner of Building Conservation Category, RICS Awards SE Region 2010 • Winner of Repair and Restoration Category, Stone Federation Awards 2010
Hampton Court Palace, Programmes of Historic Building Repairs We have assisted the Surveyors Department at Historic Royal Palaces in undertaking repairs to outstanding historic building fabric at Hampton Court Palace since 1997. Within the collaborative team we have been privileged to help with repairs to Base Court Gatehouse, The Great Hall, and Base Court elevations including Anne Boleyn Gatehouse, Tiltyard Tower, and Tijou ironwork. Apart from brick and stone masonry repairs to the Anne Boleyn Tower, Sir Christopher Wren’s lantern and cupola were restored to their original appearance as was the remarkable astrological clock.
Collaborative working, Craft Skills and Technical Excellence
The Old Royal Naval College, Greenwich As Surveyor of the Fabric since 2008, Martin Ashley and his Practice have assisted with repairs, conservation, and transformational change to this most remarkable assembly of Baroque Buildings forming part of the Maritime Greenwich World Heritage Site. Providing strategic conservation advice, and working closely with the Greenwich Foundation and its site partners, stakeholders, and statutory authorities towards planning and procuring the annual programmes of maintenance and refurbishment works, but also logistical improvements and capital projects within this very busy Estate.
Strategic conservation advice
Hampton Court Palace, The Anne Boleyn Gates For operational reasons Historic Royal Palaces needed to reinstate the great gates below the Anne Boleyn Tower. Working closely with the Surveyors Department and Curator we helped evolve, procure and install a highly authentic and exquisitely crafted set of linen-fold gates and gib-gates, in English oak with hand-forged iron fittings. Unusually, we also designed and procured the moveable working replica of the Henricean ‘Field of the Cloth of Gold’ wine fountain in the photograph foreground!
Winner of Small Project, The Carpenters Livery Company Awards 2012
Old Royal Naval College, The Painted Hall The Greenwich Foundation have undertaken phase one of Heritage Lottery Funded conservation works to the most significant scheme of Baroque paintings in Britain. As Surveyor of the Fabric, Martin Ashley and his Practice have assisted the Foundation with evolving and procuring the successful first phase of paintings conservation and associated works to the great West Wall and Upper Hall ceiling. The much larger Phase 2 Project is now being developed, including extensive improvements to associated infrastructure, extensive activity involvement within the proposed works programme, and greatly improved visitor offer including accessibility.
Collaborative working; Transformational change
The College of St George, Windsor Castle, The Canons’ Cloister Complete external restoration, and internal refurbishment of some properties to this unique survival in Britain of Clergy accommodation in unbroken use since its construction for the purpose in 1350. The restoration has been a ‘voyage of discovery in uncovering history throughout the works, but also finding and resolving very serious structural conditions due to previously inadvisable alterations. Collaboration with outstanding specialist advisors, consultants, contractors, and craftspeople has produced imaginatively sympathetic repairs whilst upgrading standards of accommodation for the 21st century, and installing cutting-edge fire suppression systems etc. Winner of Building Conservation Category, RICS Awards SE Region 2013
St Bartholomew the Great, City of London The remains of Prior Rahere’s great 12th century Church, imaginatively restored by Sir Aston Webb in the early 20th century, is the most atmospheric monastic survival in London. As Surveyor of the Fabric since 2000, Martin Ashley and his Practice have been privileged to assist the Rector and Parochial Church Council in programmes of work to maintain and improve the remarkable historic building fabric. With recent design interventions such as a new communion rail and successful Cloister Cafeteria, and with planning and designs towards possible further restoration proposal. Restoration, strategic advice and design
Kew Palace, The Royal Kitchens Conservation of a unique ‘time capsule’ survival of Georgian Royal domestic quarters and culinary life. In close collaboration with Historic Royal Palaces Surveyors Department, Curator, and Collections Conservation and Care team, we adopted a forensic approach to conserving the great kitchen and ancillary rooms which lay largely unaltered since demolition of George III’s Palace. Discovery, preservation, and enhanced presentation of original features was key together with extremely careful new detailing where necessary for the visiting public and accessibility.
Winner of the Tourism & Leisure Category, RICS Awards London Region 2014 • Finalist Museums & Heritage Awards 2014
Bushy Park, The Arethusa Fountain Inigo Jones’ marble fountain designed for Somerset House, and relocated on a Portland stone pedestal as ‘eye-catcher’ within Sir Christopher Wren’s intended Grand Avenue approach to Hampton Court Palace. Working with specialist consultants, conservators and contractors we assisted The Royal Parks Agency to procure stonework conservation and repairs, conservation of the 17th century Le Soeur bronzes, and restoration of the natural gravity hydraulics needed to reinstate the originally splendid water display. Invisible from a distance in natural bronze, Arethusa was once again gilded to act focally within the neo-classical landscape. Commended in Repair and Restoration Category, Stone Federation Awards 2010
New Residence in Wimbledon Built as accommodation for the Jesuit Community in Wimbledon, the new house was designed externally to sit within the local Conservation Area, whilst being of signature-design internally and quality of build appropriate for its use. Designed in close liaison with the client body, and closely consulted on with the Local Authority and local societies. Demolition of the preceding building and construction of the new house was procured traditionally by competitive main-contract tender and domestic sub-contracts all under main contractor’s control. The detail-design drawing package was extensive to achieve the quality of internal appearance, finish and fittings. New design and construction
Testimonials ‘As someone who both lives and works in the Canons’ Cloister I know that Martin Ashley Architects’ refurbishment was undertaken with great skill as well as consummate and sensitive care, providing the perfect balance of modern living in a place of historic interest and importance.’ Charlotte Manley LVO OBE, Chapter Clerk, St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle
‘Martin Ashley Architects have worked alongside Historic Royal Palaces for several years to ensure a future for some of Britain’s most significant buildings. At Hampton Court Palace and Kew the practice continues to bring a responsible, scholarly and collaborative approach to historic building conservation.’ Patricia Les, Head of Building Conservation at Historic Royal Palaces
‘We consider Martin Ashley Architects to be one of the most professional and approachable practices in their field. Clients and contractors alike admire their attention to detail, innovative thinking, and excellent back office support. Their collaborative approach also makes for successful and enjoyable working relationships.’ Paul and Denese Webb, P Webb Roofing and Building Services
Restoration and extensive new additions to an Arts-and-Crafts House in Surrey
Awards 2014
2010
RICS Awards London Region Winner of the Tourism & Leisure Category The Royal Kitchens at Kew Palace
RICS Grand Final Commended St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle
Museums and Heritage Awards Finalist in Restoration/Conservation Category The Royal Kitchens at Kew Palace
RICS Awards South East Region Overall Runner Up St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle
2013 RICS Awards South East Region Runner Up for Project of the Year Canons’ Cloister, Windsor Castle RICS Awards Grand Final Highly Commended in the Building Conservation Category Canons’ Cloister, Windsor Castle RICS Awards South East Region Winner of the Building Conservation Category Canons’ Cloister, Windsor Castle
2012 The Master of the Worshipful Company of Carpenters, Wood Awards Winner of the Small Project Category Anne Boleyn’s Gateway, Hampton Court Palace The Stone Federation, Natural Stone Awards Winner of the Repair and Restoration Category Buckingham Palace, Quadrangle East Elevation
2011 The Mason’s Company Craft Awards Winner of the Repair or Restoration in Natural Stone Category Buckingham Palace, Quadrangle East Elevation RICS Awards London Region Overall Runner up Buckingham Palace, Quadrangle East Elevation RICS Awards London Region Runner up of the Building Conservation Category Buckingham Palace, Quadrangle East Elevation ©2014 Martin Ashley Architects. Design: Exposed Design Consultants
RICS Awards South East Region Winner of the Building Conservation Category St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle The Stone Federation, Natural Stone Awards Commended in the Repair and Restoration Category The Diana Fountain, Bushy Park The Georgian Group Architectural Awards Winner of the Restoration of a Georgian Building in an Urban Setting Category Buckingham Palace, Quadrangle East Elevation
2008 Natural Stone Awards Winner in the category of Repair and Conservation St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle Judges comments - … ‘The research, choice of materials and the workmanship are exemplars, all highly appropriate for the Chapel of the largest and oldest occupied castle in the world and an official residence of Her Majesty The Queen. It sets the standard.’
RICS Awards South East overall winner Cowdray & Midhurst Heritage RICS Awards South East winner in the category of Building Conservation Museums & Heritage Awards for Excellence Winner in the category of Restoration and Conservation
Please contact us at: Martin Ashley Architects 46-48 London Road, Twickenham, TW1 3RJ T +44 (0)20 8948 7788 E enquiries@ma-arch.co.uk www.ma-arch.co.uk
MARTIN ASHLEY ARCHITECTS