CGA longlisted for Homerton College Design Competition

We are pleased to announce that we recently took part in an invited design competition for Homerton College, Cambridge. Our design, which was longlisted from the designs of 28 well-known architectural practices sought to create a new landmark entrance building along the Hills Road site. The proposal was to rationalise the existing porter’s lodge & library accommodation, whilst redirecting visitors through the parkland setting. A tall lantern tower acted as a landmark to guide visitors around the busy site.

The proposal has been published today in the Architects Journal, BD Online and Homerton’s website as a part of a press release for the final award. Congratulations to Alison Brooks Architects for their fantastic scheme which ultimately won the competition.

https://www.architectsjournal.co.uk/news/alison-brooks-wins-homerton-college-contest-showcase-of-all-finalists

https://www.bdonline.co.uk/news/alison-brooks-wins-cambridge-college-competition/5112660.article

Progress At Youngsbury House

It’s an exciting month at our Youngsbury House project, as we see the early stages of the historic roof form being reinstated. Our contractors are currently battling the wet and windy Spring weather to try and get the 400m2 roof installed.

Youngsbury is an early C18 Grade II listed house in Hertfordshire built in 1745 and designed by James Paine, one of the most respected architects of the time. It is thought that it may be his first major commission. The house had been extended to double its original size and then suffered the misfortune of losing its original roof and top floor in the 1950s.

The project, due to complete next year sees the reinstatement of its historic form alongside a number of modern alterations to improve the building for contemporary lifestyles.

These three photographs show the property as seen from the Stable Yard in 1872, 2017 & 2021 during construction.

Progress with the Landmark Trust's Calverley Old Hall Project

We’ve been busy working on Calverley Old Hall with the Landmark Trust. The project has recently been submitted for planning and listed building consent to convert the Grade 1 listed building into a short term holiday let.

The project is highly significant given that the Grade 1 house was built and inhabited by the Lords of the Manor of Calverley from c.1250 to the late 18th century, placing it in the top 2.5% of all listed buildings in the country. CGA were appointed following an national competition run by the Trust in 2018.

As a part of the recent archaeological recording a digital 3D laser scan survey was conducted of Calverley Hall by Marcus Abbott at TJC Heritage Ltd using a Faro Focus laser scanner. A total of 170 individual scans were made and registered together using Faro Scene software to create a single point cloud model. 

This digital model of the Hall and its immediate landscape provides the metric data for the creation of elevation plans and cross-sections of the building. Fine details such as carved timbers and mouldings were then scanned at 1mm resolution allowing these elements to be visualised in detail.

Image credit to Marcus Abbott at TJC Heritage Ltd

Photo credit to John Miller

Uncovering The Past At Youngsbury House

Works are picking up pace at our Youngsbury House project, with lots of exciting things taking place over the next few months. This week our contractor managed to find 3 old cigarette packets and a newspaper within the floor structure of the house. The cigarettes are believed to be from the 1930’s to 1950’s and the newspaper is a copy of the Daily Express dated 23rd June 1959, these dates broadly align with the last known major works at the house. Other finds include footprints in historic lime puggin, historic fireplace openings & historic structural repairs.

Project Highly Commended in Civic Trust AABC Conservation Awards

We’re pleased to announce that our David Parr House project in Cambridge has been highly commended at this year’s Civic Trust AABC Conservation Awards. Congratulations to all the winners.

Credits to the project team below;

Client David Parr House

Conservation Architect Cowper Griffith Architects LLP

Main Contractor F.A. Valliant & Sons Ltd

Paint Restoration Huning Decorations

Paint Conservation Tobit Curteis Associates

Electrical Subcontractor Secelec

Specialist Plaster Simon Swann Associates

Paint Analysis Hamilton Kerr Institute

General Plaster G.Cook & Sons Ltd -

Architectural Paint Research Jane Davies Conservation

Photography Matthew Smith Architectural Photography

Works start at Burnham Rise

CGA are delighted that construction has started on a new dwelling ‘Burnham Rise’ in Burnham Market, Norfolk. The house sits at the crest of a hill and has been designed to enable dramatic long distance views of the Norfolk coastline and surrounding countryside. We look forward to the house taking shape over the next 18 months.

The site itself is challenging due to the presence of many mature trees that have Tree Preservation Orders, so they are being carefully protected throughout the build.

The works are being undertaken by contractor Grocott & Murfit.

https://grocottandmurfit.co.uk

Visitor Centre Reaches Practical Completion

We are pleased to announce that our Carlton Marshes Visitor Centre project for The Suffolk Wildlife Trust has reached practical completion. We look forward to photographing the project in the spring.

The building was designed to blend into the natural landscape while offering visitors views out across the broads. The superstructure is built from Glulam and CLT, allowing it to sensitively fade into its surroundings, while the exposed timber beams, columns, walls and ceilings create a visual connection between inside and outside.

Works have been undertaken by Barnes Construction

http://www.barnesconstruction.co.uk/

David Parr House Project is a Regional Finalist

We are delighted to announce that our project at the David Parr House in Cambridge has been successful at first stage assessment and is a 2021 Civic Trust AABC Conservation Awards Regional Finalist. Well done to all the finalists.

Contemporary House Submitted for Planning

We are delighted to have recently submitted planning for a replacement dwelling in north Norfolk.

The proposal is undoubtedly contemporary, but through careful detailing and an inclusion of high-quality contextual materials, the building will be visually sympathetic to place.

As with many of the buildings found locally, the dwelling’s base is solid, heavy and robust visually. The upper level volumes are altogether lighter, over-sailing this more solid plinth to offer this lightness.

The ‘earthy’ colours and textures of the render will ensure that the starkness provided with typical ‘bright-white’ render finishes (often associated with modern architecture) will be avoided. Rather, the tones will provide a softer backdrop to enhance the richness of the timber and flint.

We look forward to seeing how this project progresses over the coming months.

North Norfolk House Article

We’re excited to see that our newly completed North Norfolk House has been featured in Urban Front’s magazine Door Couture – Hallways Edition.

 The bespoke iroko door by Urban Front is a key part of the house’s design and the exceptional craftsmanship sets the tone for the rest of the house. We look forward to photographing the house further in the spring.

The full article can be read here