Quinquennial Inspections

Ablett Architects are fully conversant with preparing quinquennial and condition inspections – these are invaluable in understanding the building arrangement and the repair issues.

A systematic approach is undertaken to the site inspection.  We provide reports that identify the need for repairs to historic fabric, clearly identify the timescale for each recommended item and provide commentary on health and safety and sustainability issues.

Our reports are laid out in a user-friendly way with condition photographs.  We can also review servicing and test certificates and existing maintenance reports and provide five-year repair plans.

Residential

We undertake residential work of differing scales, whether the design of new one-off houses in traditional or contemporary style, alterations, and reconfiguring of an existing house, as well as extensions.  We work closely with the client to develop the brief, developing and discussing sketch schemes and evolving the design towards a planning application.

Our work thereafter can include a full service to provide full detailing, a Building Regulations application, tendering and administration of the construction contract on site through to completion.

Contemporary

In considering proposed alteration work we consider ways of minimising the impact on historic fabric, designing additions and alterations in a way that they may be reversible wherever possible.  Additions to be sensitively designed, in a simple contemporary or traditional style with materials inspired by the existing and avoiding pastiche.

We undertake new design in a manner that adds to the history of the site, with the addition of another ‘layer’ to the building.

Places Of Worship

We are inspecting architects to over twenty churches within four Diocese. The churches are of differing ages and scale, many being listed grade I and II*.

We regularly undertake quinquennial inspections and advise parishes on recommended repairs.  We are frequently involved in preparing sketch options, feasibility studies and alteration and upgrade works which involve preparing detailed drawings, schedules of work and overseeing contractors.

Given our extensive church experience we are familiar with preparing Statements of Significance and of Need for DAC’s and local authority planners.  We consider the impact of proposed changes and alterations on historic fabric and undertake impact assessments.

Conservation and Repair

Ablett Architects have an established record of working on repair and conservation works to historic buildings of differing periods, many being listed.  We have AABC accreditation.

We undertake an analysis of the defects and the decay mechanisms to understand the reasons for decay and commissioning specialist reports as necessary.  We also seek to understand the importance of the various parts of the structure.  Thereafter we prepare proposals for repair, adopting a minimal intervention ‘like for like’ repair approach overseeing contractors and specialists through to completion.

We are passionate about historic buildings. We seek to understand the phases of change and evolution, the intricacies of the building, the decay mechanisms, the repair and conservation challenges as well as working closely with client representatives to develop the longer-term vision.