How to modernise heritage sites and remain compliant By David Woodall, area manager of the Assent Group and Oculus Building Consultancy
[ THERE ARE AN INCREASING number of heritage and
ecclesiastical sites around the UK being used for different purposes to the ones that they were originally intended. From old churches being turned into flats, listed buildings being divided up to make hotels or offices or even new builds being added on to old sites to enable dual use functionality. The key is making the very best use of the space that is available to us whilst protecting our heritage, and this cannot all be done by treating these buildings as museum pieces. Changing the use of a building from that for which it was intended to something completely different does present some challenges when it comes to ensuring that the new layout of the building is compliant with the relevant building regulations. You may think that this would be simple as you are retrofitting an old building with up to-date materials which are all designed to adhere to the most stringent of requirements. The reality can often be far from that with The 1840, St George’s Gardens in SW17, for homes that blend heritage with buildings being divided up in ways that require extensive fire modern style. Photo by Matt Tyler Photography compartmentation, issues around acoustic performance, the requirement to thermally improve the property and, in some cases, looking to change the use of a listed or ecclesiastical building can the requirement to provide improved access. be ensuring that they meet the thermal requirements of the building One of the main challenges facing a developer or owner who is regulations. Quite often you are taking a previously unheated space
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www.ecclesiasticalandheritageworld.co.uk
