Lutyens Country House – Berkshire

Client

Services

Architecture, M&E Consultancy, Energy

Team

Contractors

Boshers (Cholsey) Ltd

Total Build Cost

Undisclosed
We were privileged to work on this double award-winning restoration.
In 2015, RIBA South awarded the project a Regional Award & Conservation Award, stating: “The result is an exemplary conservation project carried out on an important architectural work. Attention to detail, including the use of a specialist Lutyens conservation architect, has been forensic. Through this meticulous attention to detail exhibited by everyone on the project, an important early 20th century work has been brought back to its former glory.” (RIBA Journal) Once a small farmhouse built around 1650, Sir Edwin Lutyens substantially extended this property (initially in 1906 and later in 1912). The country house was subsequently granted Grade I listed status. Lutyens also designed the gardens in partnership with Gertrude Jeykll, and these are listed in the Register of Historic Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest in England. However, different owners carried out a number of internal alterations to the house. Changes included the removal of balconies, fireplaces and chimney stacks, as well as subdividing rooms and moving a staircase. Therefore, the newest owners wanted to restore the whole site to the original designs where possible, and bring many of the buildings back into modern use. Our role was varied throughout the project. John originally started work on it under his previous employer, Pentangle. Architecturally, CAD drawings of the site and its many buildings were initially required. John then worked alongside Frances & Michael Edwards Architects (Lutyens/heritage architect), Moxley Architects (construction stage architect) and a myriad of other specialist designers (interiors, lighting and garden) to achieve coordination of all the elements. In terms of M&E, John designed all the building services, which needed to work around the Grade I Listed nature of the building: new mains power services, back up and small power to the buildings, security and CCTV, new heating systems to all the building, plumbing and ventilation. In addition to the main house, the works incorporated the refurbishment of a number of houses in the grounds, new outbuildings and the walled garden, providing special instructions for the tender stage. Overall lighting design was also part of John’s remit, together with designing the IT infrastructure (including fibre links) and arranging for new utilities to be routed to the site. John worked closely with the owners and design team for over 4 years, ensuring that the buildings functioned as designed, the heritage was retained and the owners achieved their goals for their home. Cityzen then came back on board in 2015, to help assess the project at various points in terms of sustainability, ensuring its energy use was appropriate.