News

Repair complete for local landmark

Repair work has been completed on the grade II listed ruined temple built in 1771, and part of the many buildings within the designed landscape of Castle Hill. The roof and interior were destroyed by fire in 1902 and the ruin had continued to deteriorate over the past century. The temple has been repaired as an eye-catcher in the landscape, visible from the main house and other parts of the surrounding landscape. The repair incorporated a modern roof and structure which reasserts the building's architectural form, massing and presence in landscape as the original design intentions. The principles and intervention of this phase of repair does not preclude future reinstatement of the original detail and ornamentation. The work was carried out in conjunction with Natural England and English Heritage.

October 2011

Rumwell Hall Business Community Launch

The Rumwell Hall Management Company held a successful launch for their new business and conference centre on the 21st September. Attended by the Mayor and Mayoress of Taunton, local dignitaries and business men and women, the launch showcased the new conference centre facilities as well as giving those in attendance an insight in to the history of such a notable local landmark. Jonathan Rhind Architects have played in integral role in the development of this grade II listed building, both in the conversion from hotel and as a business partner in the Management Company.

The event supported local charities such as St. Margaret's Hospice and was catered for by Red Field Kitchen, the on-site caterer and the renowned Cotleigh Brewery.

Please see photos of the event on attached pdf.

September 2011

Career opportunity for Conservation Architect, Taunton

Long term career opportunities for the right candidate with a successful regional practice with a consistent and growing workload of varied and interesting high quality projects from historic buildings to modern design in sensitive areas.

Imaginative approach to historic building design and experience in Vectorworks, production information, report writing, job running/on-site. Own car required.

Reply with c.v. and examples of work to architects@jonathan-rhind.co.uk

This advert can be found in Cornerstone Magazine and RIBA appointments online.

Progress on the Pool House

The brief was for a changing/entertaining/living space adjacent to the current pool that is situated within a grade II listed walled garden. The client would like to occupy this building mainly during the summer months but also during sunny winter days.

Our design philosophy is based on a modern interpretation of a Citrus House, a building that is commonly found in historic walled gardens and likely to have been present within this garden. The common design principles of the citrus house are a glazed envelope to the south of the garden wall with a more opaque structure for the functional spaces required to the north of the wall.

We feel that a modern design is appropriate to reflect the new use this garden has adopted. A large open plan living/dining space occupies the glazed structure to the south of the wall with changing and kitchen facilities to the north. Horizontal cedar boarding will emphasize the line of the wall spanning through the building and a lightweight roof will gently float across the original sloping brick wall. A slate floor is continuous throughout, connecting this building with the existing pool.

This project is now well under way, completion is expected for mid-August 2011.

For more images of the project, please see the attached pdf.

July 2011

CPD Day 29th June, 2011

The practice held an informative in-house CPD day on the 29th June. We first visited the Holwell Temple, an 18th Century grade II listed eye catcher on the Fortescue Estate. Here work is currently under-way under the direction of Jonathan Rhind and Martin Sturley which provided the opportunity to view and discuss some of the philosophies and detailed technical nature of the conservation repairs.

Representatives from Passivehaus then gave a presentation over lunch and headed a discussion on the Passivehaus design principles and approach in construction building with extremely low energy demands.

An afternoon visit to St Mary's Church, High Bickington to discuss the roof repairs in progress a roof under repair under an EH / HLF grant brought the day to an end.

June 2011

Jonny Wilkins

It is with great sadness that we announce that Jonny Wilkins has passed away after a short illness. Jonny, an Architectural Technician, had worked at our Taunton office for the last three years. Jonny was committed to making the work he was involved in have a low impact on the environment.

Jonny was an integral and well liked member of our architectural team. He and his quick wit will be missed by all who knew him.

We would ask that you join us in including his wife and children in your thoughts and prayers.

For those that may wish to make a charity donation in remembrance of Jonny the details are as follows:

Cheques can be made payable to Taunton Vineyard Church with a note on the back to say;
"New life Children's home - Musical instrument collection - remembrance Jonny Wilkins"

Cheques to be sent to;

FAO Katy Jones
Taunton Vineyard Church
32 North Street
Taunton
Someret
TA1 1LW

May 2011

Conservation Officers Group Meeting

The Devon Conservation Officers Group meet annually to disseminate knowledge between all the county's Conservation Officers, Archaeologists and English Heritage. The host Council also show a local project that will be of interest to all the Conservation Officers.

This year it was East Devon District Council's turn to host and organise the event and Kate Baxter-Hunter invited Jonathan Rhind Architects to give an introductory talk and a tour of The Chanters House in Ottery St Mary, a Grade II* listed house originating from the 13th century collegiate but having been extensively extended and altered by William Butterfield.

The talk and visit were both a success. Kate Baxter-Hunter commented "thank you for an excellent presentation on Chanters House ...and for contributing to the afternoon session looking around both the house and grounds. It was a fascinating tour and we are very grateful for your help with this event."

This follows on from a similarly successful presentation in February to the Somerset Conservation Officers Group by Amanda Watmore of Jonathan Rhind Architects on our work undertaken at the Tithe Barn, West Lyng.

April 2011

Our Taunton office has moved.

We are pleased to announce that our Taunton office has relocated to the grade II listed Rumwell Hall on the outskirts of Taunton.

We are in the process of creating a bespoke office within the Coach House utilising the existing space, natural light and historic fabric to its best advantage. The move will improve accessibility for both clients and staff, with the provision of parking and its close proximity to Junction 26 of the M5.

Our new telephone numbers:

Tel. 01823 462300

Fax. 01823 462301

March 2011

Diocesan Advisory Committee Awards 2010

The practice was very pleased to receive DAC Awards for two current projects;

The Church of All Saints, Instow for "real sensitivity and clear, exemplary information for the extension to house the WC and vestry and the introduciton of a kitchenette".

And All Saints, Holcombe Rogus for "a discreet and sensitive approach to the West End reordering and extension which was well presented from the outset".

Feb 2011

Croyde Surf Life Saving Club

Funding up to planning submission stage has now been granted from Leader 4 for the proposed new Croyde Surf Lifesaving Club building adjacent to Croyde Beach, North Devon. The application is due to be submitted in summer 2011. The underground facility will provide much needed training and storage space for Croyde Surf Lifesaving Club and a new lookout facility for the RNLI beach lifeguards.

Photo:

Proposed new building between the lime kiln (left) and time share apartments (right)

Jan 2011

Bridport Town Hall Heritage and Conservation Project

The practice is currently working on Bridport Town Council's exciting project, due to be completed at the end of 2011, which will preserve and open up this Grade 1 Listed building for everyone to visit and enjoy.

Work is underway to provide level access to the building from Bucky Doo Square. A new lift is being installed so that everyone can visit and take part in a range of activities in the historic rooms on the first floor.

The Town Council is also improving the facilities on offer, including the heating, lighting, acoustics, kitchen and IT provision as well as improving the energy efficiency of the building. In addition, there will be a new community exhibition space at the southern end of the ground floor alongside proposed new accommodation for the Tourism Information Centre.

To find out more please click on the pdf below.

Dec 2010