The biggest challenge in any old building is remaining sympathetic to its heritage whilst ensuring a modern and practical environment – they have their own character and history.

As with any design, it’s important to tie through themes from elsewhere in the building to create a coherent design feel – especially if some parts of the building are newer than others, or if you are not currently planning to refurbish them in the near future.

The quickest and cheapest method of improving your environment is all too often the one that causes the most headaches in the long-term. It is important to address the brief in the mindset of sustainability and longevity, which will save medium-term maintenance costs.

However, be prepared for light refurbishment works to require a certain level of ‘making good’ due to the material deterioration of the building. It is worth being prepared for the unexpected, as without an intrusive survey, the full extent of works required is often unclear.

The all-important question of Building Regulations, Planning Permission, and Listed Building Consent are ones that crop up regularly. Here are the basics:`

Any alterations that are classified as ‘material change’ to a listed building cannot be undertaken without Listed Building Consent (LBC).
Material change is generally considered to be any change to the fabric, character, or footprint of the building – although there is no statutory legal definition of what is considered material or non-material. Rather, it is left to each local authority to decide based on the context of the works being carried out.

It is easier to tone down an idea than to make a boring one interesting – and the last thing you want to do is spend money on more of the same.

Listed buildings, although unique in their appeal, can come with structural flaws, which can lead to increased project complexity.

In any such project, it is recommended to seek the guidance of a professional team who has experience in similar projects. This can benefit you by:

Eliminating uncertainty.
Setting a realistic time frame & budget.
Helping communicate and interpret your vision.