Completed - Mission Church - A faithful approach to design

© Simon Maxwell Photography

Following a sensitive adaptive reuse of a Mission Church, clients Geoff and Julie are celebrating a new lease of life for “The Old Mission Church” which is now available to rent as a Cotswolds retreat in the picturesque village of Paxford. 

Whilst the Mission Church was not listed, the local authority considered the building a non-designated heritage asset. Cotswold District Council’s planning policy confirms that conversions of all non-domestic historic buildings should conserve the significance of the heritage asset including its form, features, character, and setting. A conservation based approach was adopted for the conversion based on an understanding of the buildings history and significance.  

The conservation approach adopted was to repair and reuse the existing fabric whilst adopting a minimal approach to modern interventions through maximising the use of existing spaces and through the installation of a contemporary pod which appears to float in the space, providing a mezzanine level master bedroom and ensuite.  

The final finishing touches are credit to the love and dedication that Geoff and Julie have given the project provided reusing items salvaged from church. A lantern purchased with the building has been restored to be the main light in the living room. The pulpit has become a table and a headboard. The Bell chime mechanism has been restored by Paxford Engineering, new door runners fabricated by MRK and the clock face sprayed at Brothertons, all businesses based on the Northwick Park Estate. 

The external walls have been cleaned, the building fabric insulated and upgraded and the building now has a new use for the next 150 years to be shared with as many guests as possible, whilst continuing to be a beautiful focal point for the village.

Mission church - a faithful approach to design

We are pleased to announce that we have received planning permission for the conversion of Mission Church, Paxford into a two-bedroom, holiday let.

‘Mission Church’ was initially constructed as an Infant School for 100, in an ecclesiastical style and was used for Church services very shortly after. In 1886, the building became a National School, spreading the Mission of the Church and promoting education to the poor.

The design retains a significant part of the Nave and the view of the Chancel from the entrance. New bedroom accommodation is provided in a mezzanine pod toward the west end of the Nave and in the old classroom.  Existing features such as the exposed rafters, the classroom door, stained glasses, polychrome panels and graffitied plaster are to be retained and conserved.

The design incorporates the latest in technological innovations. Retaining the open plan arrangement with a kitchen between the main living spaces and the only fire exit was the primary design challenge. The solution has been to install an Automist smart scan system, a system which provides an alternative solution to a traditional sprinkler system. The cost of the system is £5000 ex VAT and is cost neutral in contrast with the comparable work of installing new partitions and fire doors.

Parquet - no way!

Works to remove the 19th Century Wood Veneer Floor from the Drawing Room at Bere Court and replace it with a periodically sensitively designed new oak floor was unanimously approved by planning committee Councillors on Wednesday evening. The works were called to committee owing to previous resident’s claims that the floor was a very early 18th Century parquet floor. 

The removal of the floor is required to remove extensive areas of asbestos that were identified in an asbestos survey report carried out in 2017. Our investigations with Japser Weldon, May 2018 confirmed that the floor was a wood veneer floor adhered to a timber substrate and the floor joists below the floor were 19th Century. Our thorough investigations and sensitive proposals were supported by Historic England and West Berkshire Council’s conservation officer.

The consent will enable a major phase of asbestos removal planned later in February. The asbestos removal will make Bere Court safe for our client, their children and grandchildren to live in for many years to come.

Lions lucky escape

James Mackintosh Architects have been appointed to carry out the reinstatement of the north front balustrade stonework to the west of the Porte Cochere at Stowe House. Damage was caused following an accident, involving one of the house security guards who suffered heart attack whilst driving and crashed at speed. The incident came as quite a shock, but fortunately the security guard is recovering following surgery. Works on the reinstatement commenced this week.

The project involves the removal and reconstruction of the lion plinths, and the reconstruction of the balustrade stonework, using as much of the surviving stonework as possible. Careful consideration has been provided to the method of lifting the Coade Stone Lions which have high architectural significance. A method statement has been prepared by the Morton Partnership and the execution will be carried out by specialists Cliveden Conservation.

Cliveden Conservation commence repairs on the Lions this week. Cliveden Conservation have been involved in several phases of repair at Stowe, including the relocation of the Bickerdyke Lions from the South Front only a few years ago. Their first priority will be safely relocating the west Coade Stone Lion so the plinth can be rebuilt.