Stanmer House

This extension of a Grade I Listed country house providing 7 houses, the refurbishment of the 17th century well pump house and protection works to the below ground ice house at Stanmer House, set within the South Downs National Park. The construction methodology developed by the team, appointed to RIBA stages 3-7 and comprised of contractor, architect, engineer, building control and conservation officer has achieved an authentically detailed high quality external envelope, allowing the contemporary internal layout and finishes to address the requirements of modern living.

Analysis and research into traditional construction methods, including detailed analysis of flint work within Stanmer village, research into the pump, donkey wheel and wellhead, sash window, roof dormer construction and Westmorland stone roof coverings (diminishing courses), meant that traditional construction techniques for the proposals could be carried out in an honest way. Two months of archeology work was undertaken before foundations could be poured. Internally the spaces have been designed in a contemporary way with the living accommodation at first floor, to take advantage of the views across the park, with bedrooms at ground and second floor.

Because the external appearance, materials and construction methods had to be in keeping with both the village architecture and adjacent listed building, early detailed discussions with building control and the conservation officer (pre application), lead to a building that is authentically constructed externally but is both sustainable and contemporary internally. For example, all SVP’s and mechanical ventilation ducts were taken through the chimney stacks and ventilated through the clay chimney pots.