Heritage Revival

04/10/2026

The Grade II* listed Shodfriars Hall in Boston, Lincolnshire is a 3-storey timber-framed jettied building dating from around 1400, with 17th century alterations (1600s).
It underwent a period of restoration and extension by Sir George Gilbert Scott in 1873 in the Gothic Revival style.
Historic England summarise the building was probably building as the ‘Golden Hows’ – ‘the principal mansion of the guilds' – at a time when Boston was a trading port with the Hanseatic League.
The Grade I listed Guildhall, built in 1390, is on the same side of the street a few doors down facing the port

Shodfriars had lain empty and languishing on the Historic England ‘Heritage At Risk Register’ register for many years until funding was secured to restore it and provide heating to support the reuse of the spaces.
Scorer Hawkins Architects bought the property as a heritage-led investment in Boston. They led the restoration of the roof, the timber frame structure, conservation of windows, external decoration and repairs to the brickwork.
The revival of this very special property now means it can operate as part of the town’s commercial centre once more as retail premises and community space.
Shodfriars Hall is in the Boston Town Centre Conservation Area which itself is on the Heritage at Risk Register. This is a very special town whose port was once busier than London thanks to the wool trade. This restoration project is an important part of honouring our national history, craftmanship and reviving its longterm survival as an occupied building.

List entry number 1388998

Scorer Hawkins Architects

27/09/2026

A beautiful evening celebrating a birthday to the backdrop of the and an amazing sunset over Wittenham Clumps. It took a while for the moon to rise free from clouds but it was appreciate with a stay over at a local campsite!

19/09/2026

It has been a delight to support owner of Grade II listed One Paved Court Kate Proudman to show visitors around this beautiful and intriguing property in as part of the Open City today.
The property dates from between 1690-1720 and was sensitively rennovated by Allies and Morrison in 2017.
Kate and partner Paul saw a vision for the building that had lain empty for 10 years to rescue it for use as a gallery.

Wisely they removed the layers of modern plasterboard and sub-dividing walls to reveal what was hiding beneath before making a decision on what works may need doing.

There are some incredible ‘honest’ structural repairs to retain as much original fabric of significance as possible.

The building survived the threat of demolition in the 1960s - along with all the properties along Paved Court - via a listing ‘quickie’ in 1968 to thwart the expansion of a local department store.

Kate and Paul have retained the layers of history that can be seen ghosting in the plasterwork and have been nimble to pivot the gallery to a sometime pop up shop to showcase the work of local artists which will rotate to a new cohort in October.

I picked up a beautifully printed ‘special days’ notebook by Ginette Guiver in between tours!

18/09/2026

Early morning light in Reading this morning grazing across silver-grey brickwork on a side elevation of a late C19 (1875-1895ish) Victorian semi.

Reading is well known for its production of bricks since the 14th century but predominantly during the 18th and 19th centuries when multi coloured bricks were produced. These blue-grey and silver-grey bricks were a result of very hot firing which gives a bluish tint. Often glass was added which gave the bricks a vitreous appearance.

These were more expensive than regular red bricks and were mostly used on the main front elevation. These two examples, taken one hour apart this morning, are on the flank wall suggesting the owner/occupier used the bricks as a display of wealth.

Poultons & Co were the main suppliers of brick in Reading during this era - favoured by Waterhouse.

07/05/2026

Hidden in plain sight on Wood Green Common, Mushroom House is one of London’s quirkiest listed buildings.

Built in 1822 as the lodge to Chitts Hill House, it once marked the carriage entrance from High Road. With its circular plan, deep overhanging roof, curved windows and central chimney, it feels more like something from a storybook than a former gate lodge.

Over the years, it has taken on different roles within the park — including a tea house in the Edwardian era and, later, a children’s playhouse. Listed in 1974, it remains a small but memorable reminder of Georgian architectural imagination and local history.

What stories this building might inspire!

03/05/2026

That’s the end of another day - lots of conversations with owners of listed properties who have exciting ideas for their home. It’s been fantastic to discuss topics in the built environment space with others - especially and Joe - and I did manage an impromptu stumble across .mccloud1 busy preparing for his live appearances early in the day. Great event, lots of energy and do visit tomorrow if you can!

03/05/2026

28/03/2026

Whilst in Benson, visiting two clients on the same day these chimney stacks grabbed my attention! College Farmhouse is just off the High Street and was Grade II in 1985, together with its attached barns and outbuildings. The listed description states ‘Massive C16 end stack to left with diagonally set shafts’….massive indeed! The farmhouse has an C18 front and C19 alterations, but for me the stacks steal the glory! They beg the question who commissioned these and why were they so beautifully designed and articulated - for a farm house - surely there is more to this building than meets the eye. listed entry number 1285822