2011 05 26 Shelter Scheme - free consultations

We have registered for the Shelter scheme whereby architects consult with home owners to discuss the potential in redesigning or extending their property in return for a donation to Shelter.
We will undertake up to 20 consultations and cover the following postcodes LE14, 15 and 16, PE9, NG31, 32 and 33 across north Leicestershire, Rutland and west Lincolnshire.


If you would like to participate, please contact the office directly or register at
architectinthehouse.org.uk

Consultations take place in July and August.

2011 05 26 Site for Workshops

The ground has been cleared today for new workshop building, the goal posts and string demark the outline of the building for the purposes of cuttting foundations.
For the first time in two months it rains. 20 weeks to go will keep you posted.

 

johnfowkesarchitects.co.uk

2011 05 19 Chapel furnished

Today's site visit and the new Chapel at Holy Cross Convent is now complete and fully furnished. The furniture is their former altar and stalls, and the pews have come from another church locally. The building is the centre piece of the new Convent and has garths to north and south, a residential block to the east and the Convent's cloister corridor passes the west door.



johnfowkesarchitects.co.uk

2011 05 12 Grade 2 Listed Manor

To sell or renovate.
Potenial clients have a lovely Grade 2 Listed Manor requiring lots of repairs and the all too familiar 1960's boiler house extension which needs remodelling.


Lincolnshire is full of these house, small hamlets with beautifully preserved buildings. In the Cotswolds this would be a million pound house. The garden's a delight too.
I believe they should do the work obviously, they have the buildings best interests at heart and it could be further enhaced with the right repairs and improvements

johnfowkesarchitects.co.uk

2011 05 12 Convent completion

My new build Convent is nearing completion and the Sisters have moved in. The picture shows their south-east porch which they use exclusively to access their drying area and garden.



johnfowkesarchitects.co.uk

2011 05 13 Grade 2 Dower House

Dower House, Highfields Farm, Holy Cross Convent. 1724

Two months into the renovation of the Dower House at Highfield's Farm the building work is taking shape. The new window openings are formed with self supporting brick arch and the roof repairs are complete.

Frames are almost fully installed and the large staircase window for stained glass is carefully propped against the scaffold. 

Internally rooms are fully formed and M&E first fix is nearing completion.

The house will be finished before the end of August, when it will become the guest and visitor acommodation.

johnfowkesarchitects.co.uk

2011 05 11 Roof repairs

Here we go, first post. Small works.

Been to look at ongoing repairs to a lovely building hardly known in the area. Sadly it's been bodged in the recent past and the roof could do with re-slating.
Collyweston slate should have been swept or interlaced on the valleys have instead been mitred and soakered. No lay boards and hence rubbish collecting in and rain water penetrations ensue.
The rot you can see is the wall plate. The pitches are covered in moss which is harmful long term.



New lay board, felt and battens should be finished today, slates re-instated and pointed.
The stone has been repaired by St Whitesstones and they have made a first class job, lintels replaced in English oak.

It's a small job but who knows where it will end. I will propose a re-roofing assessment especially if there is more timber to repair and see how that is received.

www.johnfowkesarchitects.co.uk