This unique, historic settlement has been in existence since 1332 and in the hands of the same family from the mid 16th century until the late 20th century. 

The Upper Hall, Listed Grade II*, was semi-derelict, with a corrugated iron roof and no internal carpentry of any historic quality.  The brief was to repair the masonry structure, replace the roof, insert an upper floor and introduce facilities to allow ancillary domestic use.

A new oak-framed structure with arch collar ties was inserted to support the thatch roof with lime plaster and lathe ceiling below.  The walls were repointed and consolidated inside and out with lime mortar and lime washed internally.

Discreet electrical services and a contemporary lighting scheme provide power and functional lighting to enhance the historic fabric.  The lower chamber floors are smooth concrete paviors laid on sand blinding over the early cobbled floor.

The upper gallery is English oak over underfloor heating and the hearth has been reinstated to allow open fires.  Modern materials, glass, oak, stainless steel and concrete have been used in a plain and direct way. The building, with its massive ashlar granite stonework and robust openings, has acquired a clear, appropriate 21st century role.

Before

After

RIBA Wessex & South West :
Town & Country Design Conservation Award Winner 2006

The Church House is a very rare building – mediaeval, smoke blackened thatch and still in church community use.  The building was in a poor state of repair and consequently little used.  Funds were raised locally and supported by major grants from the Heritage Lottery Fund and Dartmoor National Park. A scheme for the repair and renewal has been implemented to provide access for all, full facilities and lighting and heating. 

Church House can now provide appropriate, secure and high quality space for community events, exhibitions and just for access to view and study the historic building.  Contemporary design has been successfully combined with traditional craft repairs and renewal to give Church House a new 21st century life.

Chard Guildhall was completed in time to celebrate the accession of Queen Victoria on 29 June 1837.   This grade II* traditional Town Hall with hamstone Roman doric portico, pediment and clock tower was extended in 1883 with a new iron framed Corn Exchange.

Subsequent alterations and extensions which had fallen into disrepair, were demolished and redeveloped in 2001 - 2003 with the help of grant aid from English Heritage and the Heritage Lottery Fund.

The historic fabric was exposed, refurbished and reinstated in a well researched and sympathetic manner.   A new Mayor's Parlour, Concourse, Cafe, Lift, Theatre, Stage and changing rooms were constructed within the confines of the town centre site.   The building is now accessible to all and the fire precautions improved.   New spaces and materials augment the dramatic features and fabric of the original structures.

Chard Guildhall can now be used for the whole range of planned community activities.   This imposing building will retake its place as an important and historic venue in Chard and South Somerset.

Pendennis Castle is an extensive military fort that was an active part of Britain’s coastal defences from the reign of Henry VIII until after the second world war.

Now in the guardianship of English Heritage, its rich history and wide range of restored military buildings and fortifications make it a popular tourist attraction and educational resource for history students of all ages.

Van der Steen Hall Architects have been involved in the repairs, refurbishment and restoration of numerous parts of the establishment over many years.   This has included buildings, underground barracks, tunnels, gun emplacements and ramparts.   The most recent phase has been the repair and conversion of the Edwardian barrack block into a museum, conference/hospitality suite and education centre.

Throughout the course of the various works there has been constant research.   This has included the reconstruction of retrieved decayed, rusty and broken components; one very successful reconstruction has been the ‘Howarth’ ventilators that, as they spin in the wind, extract air from the buildings.   These ventilators can be very efficient and have subsequently been re-introduced on a number of other historic buildings around England.