Historic Building Studio

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Historic Building Studio

I am an architect and heritage consultant. My conservation experience can help you to develop the full potential of your historic building.

I can help you and your London 🏠 to achieve Planning with detailed Heritage Statements. My experience includes a great variety of heritage projects, from the grade I listed Chatsworth House to the retrofit of a terraced house in London.

27/04/2024

If you are in Bath, make sure you visit the Museum of Bath Architecture.

They have reopened recently, and they are welcoming visitors interested in learning about Bath’s (mostly) Georgian architecture until December.

This is an example like no other. If you wonder about how things are made, this is for you. You have the opportunity to learn about plastering, marbling, joinery, measuring techniques, etc.

My take is their construction display of a sash window should be accompanied by the different techniques currently available for retrofitting. Examples of secondary glazing, as well as slim double glazing and vacuum-insulated glass, could inform on the advantages and disadvantages of a very hot topic.

I mentioned this not because their exhibit is incomplete but further from it. They aspire to educate us all on the future of listed buildings, and they are looking for feedback from the previous public.

If you ever wondered why preserving historic glass is of any merit (something I get asked often by my clients), you can see here the different reflection effects of:

Crown glass (A (c1765) & B (1993)
Images 3 and 4
Where circular marks spread from the central point where the glass was blown

Cylinder Glass C
Image 5 and 6
With a more subtle double reflection and imperfections in the shape of bubbles

Float Glass D
Image 7
The origin of the modern glass with an even flat surface. Tin residues can be detected on analysis due to its fabrication method.

28/07/2023

Turning waste into decoration.

You might have spotted colour patterns in the brickwork. An interesting one is the combination of red and dark bricks.

Although different in colour, both bricks are the same material. The difference comes from how much they have been ‘cooked’.

The nearly vitrified dark bricks were very close to the heat source 🔥 While the red ones were further away.

Rather than discarding the burnt bricks, they helped to create patterns. And brittle bricks appropriately fired were used for internal walls.

Diaper patterns or repeating geometrical patterns include diamond shapes, zig-zags and crosses. And when showing the short side of the brick is a flared header.

This fashion was typical in Tudor times, and the Victorians recovered it.

St Albans streets like Fishpool St and Mount Pleasant are great places to spot these patterns.

21/07/2023

Working with people that love their listed building.

It was a pleasure to help the owners of this Regency house in Hackney. They love their building, and now they can make the most of it thanks to a new roof, a dresser and an extra bathroom.

Listed building consent granted for a happy client in Hackney.

“Eva was fantastic. In addition to successfully getting the approval for works, she advised us on the most efficient and economic way to obtain the necessary permissions.”

Jeremy Same

Ps. Cheerful photo of the guardians by the client

14/07/2023

Timber special effects.

Have you ever noticed funny shadings on a door or timber panelling? Looking closely, it seems like a bad imitation of a Po***ck painting.

This decoration technique is called graining, and it was used to make cheaper species (normally softwood) look like more expensive ones.

Lisa Oestreicher explains all about training in a Building Conservation Directory article. She explains the different techniques and mentions case studies in Kenwood House and Dyrham Park.

So, if you know those buildings, you’ll be surprised to see this technique was not exclusive to small budgets.

My case study comes from:
West Peckham church in Kent (no.1-3)
and the pews in Laxfield’s church in Suffolk (no.4-6)

Charles F.A. Voysey hated this technique.

‘(...) painting and training to imitate woods were likewise a species of fraud to be avoided.’

But it was very popular during his time at the beginning of the 20th century. This book here from tells all the tricks and tools you need to make it possible.

What about you? Do you believe in the honesty of materials, or are you keen on tricking the eye?

07/07/2023

The application for at the Grade I listed building King's College Chapel in Cambridge is a fascinating case.

The SPAB magazine for this summer edition has an interesting analysis of one of their casework studies, King's College Chapel in Cambridge. You might have heard about this controversial case since its August submission.

The college's proposal to install solar panels on the roof of its Grade I listed chapel has exposed the current issue of balancing the need for heritage protection and the climate emergency. While introducing energy-saving measures in listed buildings (and historic buildings in general) could be a positive contribution, each case scenario requires detailed analysis.

Energy-saving measures can only be justified in listed buildings after assessing the proposal's actual sustainability benefits and the building's significance. Each proposition must be fully understood and explained with those pieces of information.

In the case of the King's College Chapel, SPAB highlighted that the building needed a broader strategy for energy-saving measures, including changes that were much less impactful on the fabric and views of the listed building. For instance, 'draught proofing, using LED bulbs and installing thermostatic valves and radiators'.

IHBC's magazine, Context June edition, confirms that this application was granted permission after the planning committee overruled the officer's recommendation for refusal. In the view of John Preston, who wrote this article, this represents the state of current affairs; people outside the heritage field consider the climate emergency prevails over the potential damage to our protected heritage.

Have you followed the case? Do you think the application should have been granted?

30/06/2023

Sometimes we are so focused on chasing our goals that we forget to celebrate our achievements.

Since the beginning of the year Historic Building Studio contributed to the listed building consent for homeowners in the Cotswolds, Hampshire, Hackney and St Albans.

From each project, there are lessons learned. And this post wouldn’t be of much value if I didn't share a few:

- Don’t underestimate the power of research
- If you believe in the cause, persevere despite the obstacles
- Hackney council won’t let you have more than one spotlight, even in a new mansard
- Where others struggled to get permission, you’ll succeed by offering the adequate solution to that specific building and the right information

Do you celebrate your achievements? Which are your tips for a successful listed building consent?

23/06/2023

What is a dado for…?

Sometimes historic architectural details might seem for the sake of decoration, but in most cases, they fulfil a specific function on top of adding beauty.

Dado rails are one of them. Georgian walls, for instance, had plaster walls with delicate mouldings that could be damaged by impact. A moulding at the height of the top of a chair solved this issue.

The term comes from classical architecture. This being the top of the base where a column sits. Which has similar proportions to the dado rail applied in Georgian interiors.

In the image you can see a how a lower panelling combines the dado and the skirting within the same element. And attention to detail is demonstrated by the alignment of the moulding in the fireplace surround with those of the skirting and the dado.

Look for dados in the buildings around you. They come in all shapes, materials and colours from the Georgians to the Edwardians.

05/05/2023

Not listed / grade II listed

Both built in Lambeth in the early 19th century.

Both survivors of the early speculative developments South of the river.

You can see the banister of the not-listed versus the listed, and the same for the fireplace—all in the same style: Regency.

The not-listed is on the high street and had the front developed for a shop. The grade II listed is tacked away and kept its original facade layout.

Both suffered damaging changes over time. But the grade II listed was carefully refurbished using traditional techniques and materials.

So, why is one listed and the other not? Will the not-listing /listing mark their fate?

The grade II listed has a hidden power. It was Van Gogh’s home during his time in London.

And yes, the listing offers specific protection to Van Gogh’s house, while the not-listed is open to free development.

Luckily, the not-listed is still in place. Its historic value has been recognised as a positive contribution to the conservation area, and I hope it can be soon repaired and brought back to life.

Image fireplace from tagvenue.com

28/04/2023

Discovering the secret behind the mural.

You might not be able to read the text in the mural properly. So here you have from 2 Corinthians 7:10:

"[For] Godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of but the sorrow of the world worketh death."

And aligned with it in another frame 2 Corinthians 8:12:

"For if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not."

Which in the Common English Bible would be…

"Godly sadness produces a changed heart and life that leads to salvation and leaves no regrets, but sorrow under the influence of the world produces death."

and

"A gift is appreciated because of what a person can afford, not because of what that person can't afford, if it's apparent that it's done willingly."

So what does this text makes you think about?

💰Yes! Collecting money. 💸

So…I don't care how your business did this month…Just pay me your part!

The building dates from around the 16th century, but these verses are from the King James Version of the Bible. Which means they date after 1611.

The building extended over time and only part of the murals remains. The structure of the first floor splits 2 Corinthians 7:10 in two and 2 Corinthians 8:12 only partly visible.

The presence of these murals is not only significant because of their beauty but also because they indicate that this might have been the booth hall for the village. That is where markets and the collection of merchant's tolls happened.

Are you familiar with both halls? Do you have murals in your building? Please do let me know in the comments.

31/03/2023

Before buying a listed building, it is good to understand if your lifestyle and aspirations are aligned with your future home.

If you are not sure of the possibilities of a listed building, Historic Building Studio could help you with:

🔨 Understand the kind of maintenance or repairs that will be required

👷‍♀️Possibilities for change while preserving the historic value of the property

🤔Guide you through the processes involved concerning listed buildings

While the service by a registered surveyor is focused on the process intrinsic to property value. Historic Building Studio’s surveys are focused on your compatibility with your possible future home.

See the feedback received on a previous survey from a listed building buyer:

“Eva conducted a thorough survey of a listed building for me. The resulting report and explanation were of excellent detail and quality.

There were many architectural details I would not have registered myself without Eva's keen eye and ability to deduce the history and provenance of various features.

Also provided was a list of recommended works of various priorities and instructions on how to do them.

Perhaps more important than the content of the report, was the reassurance and understanding Eva gave me about the building and its condition, which led to purchase with confidence and enthusiasm.”

17/03/2023

The secret of Saint Dunstan.

When visiting West Peckham church. (No, not London’s Peckham, but a small village in Kent). Its leaded windows won’t be the first thing that calls your attention.

Although of Saxon origin, the interior feels Victorian. And so are the leaded windows. But just below the image of Saint Dunstan, there are the remnants of a small medieval leaded glass window.

Medieval glass is not common in England. And there are mainly three reasons.

First, England did not produce its coloured window glass until around the 16th century (that is towards the end of the medieval time).

It was available in Europe by the 12th century. So our cathedrals, which didn’t want to miss out on the new fashion had to import it.

Second, the dissolution of the monasteries meant that buildings were abandoned and looted. You know, an empty building is a building at risk.

Although independent churches, not linked to monasteries, were saved, they suffered from changes in the Church. For instance, the issue with Thomas Becket, the brief return to Catholicism and the Reformation.

Third, war destruction from the Civil War to the Blitz.

But if you are keen on medieval glass windows, there are some places where you can still see them in London.

In Southwark Cathedral, there are some panels with reused medieval glass.

In Westminster Abbey, fragments of stained glass from 1250 to 1500 are stored in their collection. And Tudor panes in the shape of a diamond can be seen in Henry VII’s chapel.

And for a closer look, head to the Victoria and Albert Museum.

13/02/2023

Research is key in an application for listed building consent.

When requesting permission for alterations on a listed building, it is not sufficient to know about historic buildings.

Each listed building has its peculiarities and particular story. And that should inform any changes to the building.

In these images, you can see how the layout of the two rooms changed from the Georgian to the Victorian period. (1st and 2nd diagrams).

In the 1980s the Victorian wing was demolished and the facade reconfigured. Further changes, this time unlawfully, happened in the 1990s. (3rd and 4th diagrams).

These diagrams were put together through the information found in different archives. And opening up works agreed with a Pre-app clarified the last piece of the puzzle.

Learning about your listed building helps to preserve its historic value and makes your planning proposal stronger.

And that’s why Listed building consent has now been granted for this project. Yei! Another successful project by Historic Building Studio! In collaboration with and aks-structures.co.uk

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