Client: Bewley Homes
Location: Berkshire, UK
Value: £1.5m
Skills: Architecture, Interior Design
Broadway Malyan was appointed by Bewley Homes to carry out the refurbishment of the former Douai School, a Grade II listed building next to Douai Abbey, Woolhampton. The brief from the client was to convert three of the largest school halls into contemporary luxury apartments. Broadway Malyan reviewed the existing listed building consent for the halls and with the agreement of the client, completely redesigned and reconfigured the spaces to enhance the original features of the halls and create open, contemporary living spaces in each apartment.
After close collaboration with English Heritage and West Berkshire Council's Conservation Officer, new listed building consents were granted for each apartment. Intervention was kept to a minimum to enhance the striking original features and distinctive character of the existing building.
Slender mezzanine floors wrap around perimeter walls in each apartment to emphasise the impressive double-height central spaces. Glass floors, 'floating' glass stairs and glass balustrades maintain the open nature of the space and distribute natural light from the upper level to the ground floor. The creative use of lighting accentuates the contemporary interior whilst enhancing the original listed features which are central to the design of these unique apartments.
Winner of Conversion Project of the Year 2008 (Mail on Sunday British Homes Awards)