Different ways to adapt and revive a historical building for modern day use

Changing or converting a historical building takes time, care and – above all – expertise. It’s not a building project you can take on lightly, nor is it one that’s wise to do with limited construction experience.  

Yet in the right hands – like those of the team here at Hawes Construction Group – a historical building renovation project can be rewarding, transformative, and enjoyable. 

Why renovate a historical building? 

A historical building is one steeped in heritage and tradition. Preserving that is important to honour landscape and history with respect to incredible architectural skill.  

Yet, today, these buildings are not always fit for purpose. Sadly, they are often unsafe due to age, decay and – sometimes – a contemporary understanding that the materials used in initial construction do not meet appropriate safety standards. 

Demolition is, often, a last resort. Instead, here at Hawes, we look to ways we can adapt and reuse the structure – for safety, comfort and improved performance, all while honouring the historical foundations.  

What does a historical property conversion involve? 

There are lots of different, complex stages of a historical or listed building property conversion or renovation. To illustrate those, let’s look at some of the different projects we’ve done here at Hawes: 

An extension 

We worked with a private residential client in Lewes, who owns a beautiful, period cottage. However, the kitchen was very small and not fit for modern-day living or their personal lifestyle.  

Using groundworks already in place, we constructed a timber-frame extension using our own skilled carpentry team. The result was an extension that seamlessly combined and connected both old and new, balancing character with bright and airy modern living.  

A conversion including retrofitting 

The Warbill-in-Tun pub in Warbleton in part dated back to the 1500s. The owners wanted to convert the pub into a domestic property, including retrofitting to increase the energy efficiency of the property and reduce their fuel bills and carbon footprint. That meant that they needed an experienced team to plan, manage and deliver.  

The project certainly faced a fair few stumbling blocks, such as the lack of foundations in the historical rear section of the pub and the discovery of asbestos – twice! Yet Hawes’ expertise and great relationship with local specialists mean the ongoing project is solving contemporary issues while staying respectful to the period features.  

A refurbishment 

Popular museum and tourist attraction, Newhaven Fort, is situated within a 19th-century defensive fort in southeast England. We were asked to completely refurbish the kitchen area and café in a World War Two-inspired design.  

The work needed to be sensitively handled in-keeping with the fort’s history, while also balancing modern challenges – such as an inadequate electrical supply. The fort was closed while we carried out the work, so we had to stick to strict timescales. We did so – to the client’s delight.  

There are lots of paperwork practicalities to consider when tackling a historical building project. This includes the correct building consents involving change of use and function, building regulation submissions, and health and safety. Yet when you work with us at Hawes, we take care of all that for you, leaving you to get involved in the design, process and finish in only the ways you wish. 

Get in touch with our team for more information and advice. You can also take a look at more of our projects here, including more listed and historical works.