Award Text & Picture

C
ontract: 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.