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.
Archive research into the history of the building by the Trust, close inspection of the existing fabric, and an extended per-application engagement process with Historic England and Medway Council’s conservation officer, have allowed a more radical approach to the fenestration and roofing than was originally envisaged. By replacing the 1970’s dormer windows and the 19th Century sashes of the principal elevations, reinstating sashes with astragals and multiple lights, and by reinstating the form of the dormer roofs, we will be able to combine much better thermal performance with restoration of its historic character.
The proposals comprise critical structural repairs and fire performance upgrades, to the secondary stair enclosure and doors, which will provide a reliable means of escape from the upper floors. Works to the windows, and recovering of roof with insulation, will make the building reliably watertight for the foreseeable future, and lead to an overall reduction in heat demand (despite the addition of two floors in use). Completely new building services throughout include installation of a hybrid heating system. This proposes two air source heat pumps and a small gas boiler to provide a top-up in extreme conditions. Modelling shows that about 95% of annual demand will be met by the heat pumps, slashing the operational carbon emissions.
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.
You can find out more about the history of the oldest naval building in the country and find out how to donate to the funding for the works on the dedicated page of the Dockyard website.
