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Howe Brook House is essentially a c1600 grade II* timber
frame 'H' house with a mid-Georgian brick rebuild of one wing. On initial inspection the roof
was found to be in poor condition in certain areas and the rainwater goods non operational or
missing. The resulting ingress of water had resulted in damage to parts of the timber frame.
There was also a high level of dampness in the lower floors of the house with moisture rising
through the stone flag floor and stone plinth walls.
We undertook a close examination of the problems of rising damp and water ingress due to previous lack of maintenance and inappropriate repair and set out on a careful schedule of repairs to the main timber frame and brick building, and also to the adjacent barn.
We were also asked by the client to design additional accommodation and gained listed and planning consent to add a two storey extension to the side elevation of the existimg Georgian front plus the re-use of the redundant barn as ancillary domestic accommodation.
This has been by necessity a sensitive job, which by the early involvement of the local conservation officer, the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings and the regional English Heritage inspector in informal discussions resulted in successful planning and listed building applications for both the house and the barn.
The practicalities of lowering the water table were a very delicate balance between drying out the sub-floor whilst not disturbing the shallow foundations. We undertook the operation wanting not to remove or damage the existing stone flag floors whilst
reducing dampness to an exceptable level. This was done using an external drainage system
taking water to the existing brook. This was the first element of the repairs to be done
allowing the building to dry out, enabling us to make a better assessment of the repairs
needed. The roof repairs were then completed and the new cast iron rainwater goods added to complete the repair of the water shedding envelope. We have now flitched in new oak to the timber frame where necessary and repaired the daub panels using locally dug clay and hay in a mix prepared to match closely with the original. The panels will be rendered in a lime mix and finally limewashed in the new year to avoid unnecessary damage due to winter conditions affecting the carbonation of the render. The Limewashing will cover the entire elevation including the timbers.
The Barn
is contemporary with the original 1600 timber frame house and listed grade II in its on
right. The original timber frame has now evolved into a construction that also makes use of soft red brick, stone, and the remains of the timber frame, finished with a stone slate roof.
We have gained listed building and planning permission to insert a mezzanine timber floor into one bay of the barn, allowing a sleeping gallery to be formed with kitchen accomodation and below services below. The new work will compliment the materials around them and sit respectfully beside its historic surroundings. It will be a completely reversible structure and the existing fabric will not be damaged, with only necessary repairs being undertaken with minimal intervention.
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