Old

Chapel

Conversion

The Brief

The project presented an opportunity to convert a heritage building of local significance into both a family home and a working architectural practice. Though neither Listed nor within a Conservation Area, the former chapel and Sunday school annexe held considerable importance to the village community, requiring a conversion approach that honoured its history whilst meeting contemporary needs.

The brief called for affordable adaptation that would retain the building’s most distinctive feature—its double-height spaces—whilst creating additional accommodation through mezzanine levels and a loft conversion. The design needed to provide workspace for four to six people alongside residential accommodation, all within a tight budget and on a constrained site with restricted builder access.

Planning permission was secured for the building to function as either one or two dwellings, providing flexibility for future use.

Design Approach

The conversion strategy balanced preservation with transformation. Rather than imposing a uniformly contemporary aesthetic, the design embraced juxtaposition—open-plan volumes contrast with intimate cellular spaces, and historic elements sit alongside modern interventions. This approach creates spaces that are both practical and visually engaging.

Sustainability principles shaped every material decision. Locally sourced, recycled oak provided flooring and joinery throughout, supporting regional suppliers and traditional craftspeople whilst reducing embodied carbon. Enhanced insulation combined with underfloor heating delivers energy efficiency without compromising the building’s character. The construction process fully utilised the skills of local builders and craftsmen, ensuring quality whilst maintaining cost control.

The retention of double-height spaces proved crucial to both internal spatial quality and external appearance. By resisting the temptation to maximise floor area at the expense of volume, the design preserves the building’s chapel-like presence whilst creating dramatic interior spaces flooded with natural light from the tall windows.

Overcoming Challenges

The project’s constrained site and restricted access initially complicated construction logistics. This was resolved by expanding the garden area, providing adequate space for materials storage and site operations whilst ultimately improving the building’s setting.

Cost control represented the primary challenge throughout. Meeting the brief’s affordability requirement whilst maintaining quality and sustainability ambitions demanded rigorous budget management and careful specification. The decision to prioritise locally sourced materials and traditional construction methods actually supported cost control by reducing transport expenses and utilising readily available skills.

The Result

The completed conversion demonstrates how heritage buildings can adapt to contemporary use without sacrificing their essential character. The chapel’s double-height spaces remain intact, with original features integrated as focal points within the new accommodation. The interplay between open and enclosed areas creates flexible spaces that function equally well for residential living and professional work.

Externally, the building retains its chapel appearance, maintaining its contribution to the village streetscape. Internally, the spaces offer the light, functionality and comfort expected of modern accommodation whilst celebrating the building’s history.

The project’s recognition through the Green Apple Award and its selection as a RIBA exemplar project validate the design approach, confirming that sensitive heritage adaptation can achieve environmental sustainability, practical functionality, and architectural quality simultaneously.