Legion Hall
Sympathetic and contemporary alterations breathe new life into a previously vacant Grade-II* chapel
Marshfield, South Gloucestershire, 2019
Built as a Unitarian Chapel in 1752, this Grade-II* building had been vacant since 2011. The chapel was established in Marshfield by a group of dissenters led by a pastor, George Seal, who had been banished from his Welsh parish.
The British Legion bought the property and it was used for a variety of community purposes during the 20th Century with declining regularity which led to the property being poorly maintained.
A new owner decided to breathe a new lease of life into the property and, following a lengthy and difficult planning process, consent was finally granted in 2018 to convert it into a private dwelling.
Painstaking renovation works have taken place for over 2 years and the final result is a wonderfully airy and light-filled renewed property.
Finishing touches were provided through the installation of a new spiral staircase. Parametric modelling by Future Joinery Systems ensured the stairs delicately dealt with the constraints of the existing, historic fabric. Expert craft seamlessly brought together all the constituent parts, to allow a new, contemporary chapter to the building.
Location: Marshfield
Client: Private domestic
Design Team: Matthew Clay
Structural Engineer: Rymer Design + Detailling
Stairs: Future Joinery Systems, Fold Engineering, West Building, De Marchi, Handrail Creations
Well done to everyone involved Legion Hall – very, very impressive.
I can’t think of any other modern intervention potentially adding so much positive character to a building.
Rob Nicholson, South Glos Conservation Officer