Contract:
Bugby Chapel Epsom
Award: Restoration and conversion of an 18th century chapel
for office use
Category: 1.3 (Commercial owners)
Type: 2.1 (Adaptation of old buildings)
Owners: Tudor Travel Ltd
Project Designers: Epsom Builders Ltd
Contractors: Epsom Builders Ltd
Demonstrating
the very best of conservation planning within an urban area, the
scheme succeeds primarily because of the support of the local
authority for the retention of the building and its conversion
for office use. The Chapel stood isolated and semi-derelict in
the middle of a development site behind a car park with a burial
ground to one side.
A
scheme for medium-density housing was devised that provides an
enviromental setting for the chapel and includes the landscaping
of the burial ground as a green open space for community benefit.
It is essentially simple in conception, The scale and the space
created are attractive and will become more so with time.
The
repair and conversion of the Chapel has been carried out in a
straightforward and workmanlike fashion, the roof re-laid using
salvaged and secondhand materials, and a simple gallery introduced
in such a way as to preserve the character of the building. The
conversion is simple and provides a pleasant working enviroment
landmark within the local community has been rescued and will
serve it well for future decades. It is clearly an Award winner.