We have recently submitted applications for Planning Consent and Scheduled Monument Consent (SMC) for works to the Commissioner’s House at The Historic Dockyard Chatham, which is both Grade 1 listed, and a Scheduled Ancient Monument.
We were approached in 2023 by the Chatham Historic Dockyard Trust, as experts working with historic structures and following our award-winning earlier works for the Trust reinventing the listed No.1 Smithery, to develop proposals for repair of the roofs, enhancements to windows, and the installation of new building services. The Trust used our Stage 3 proposals to make a successful bid to the Arts Council England for MEND 3 funding for the works.
The building’s lower three floors are used by the Chatham Historic Dockyard Trust as a hospitality venue, for weddings and events, but the upper two floors are presently unheated, unused, and in poor condition. The Trust’s vision is to bring all floors into gainful use, restoring the upper floors to allow public access to them, and to thus improve the viability of the building.
During the design process we encouraged the Trust to consider the re-roofing and window works through the lens of retrofit; using them as the opportunity to make a meaningful upgrade to thermal performance. Combined with careful selection of heating systems, this enables significant decarbonisation of the buildings operation.
Our proposals ensure the ongoing viability of the house, improving the user experience and comfort and restoring its former architectural character, whilst increasing its resilience to climate change and significantly reducing operational carbon emissions. When the House reopens next year, all floors will be suitable for contemporary needs, and its historical character enhanced.