Our team has delivered a £710,000 insurance reinstatement and rebuild project for a residential property in Royston, North Hertfordshire.
As the result of a major fire, the three-bed property suffered extensive damage, requiring complete demolition and rebuild. The reinstatement project also provided opportunity to rework the original design and upgrade elements through additional private works.
Led by Ian Lapsley, Brendan Anderson and Eleni Pastusiak, with support from Thomas Scrimshaw, Dominick Taylor and Aakar Saber, our team from across our Glaston, Reigate, Cambridge and Manchester offices worked closely with the property owner, an architect, and contractor, Benning Brothers, to provide building surveying, project management and specialist architectural and structural engineering design advice, including heritage and conservation guidance.
Overcoming technical and logistical challenges
With the property situated in a tightly controlled conservation area, the project presented challenges from the outset. The site itself had significant logistical constraints, including restricted access to the private driveway for heavy machinery due to the close proximity of neighbouring properties and listed buildings, as well as the need to protect mature trees.
Our team also managed the complex service coordination of multiple contractors on site, ensuring the works were delivered on time and in line with the programme.
Ground conditions added a further layer of complexity, requiring careful consideration of foundation design, contamination and water management. The site, originally used for light industrial units before being converted into a residential area, presented a significant challenge due to the presence of contaminated soil. As the required planning conditions had not been completed by the original developer, the Environmental Health Officer initially requested the removal of the contaminated soil, which ran to a depth of one metre across the site. This approach would have incurred removal and disposal costs in the region of £100,000. Following a site meeting, it was agreed that a no-dig membrane could be installed, allowing the gardens to be reinstated as hard landscaping, delivering a cost saving of approximately £85,000.
Grand designs
Working collaboratively with the property owner, our team delivered significant thermal improvements, optimising the layout to enhance solar gain and increase privacy, as well as improving natural surveillance and spatial flow.
Sustainability and performance were central to the design works. Our team worked with contractors to discreetly integrate recessed photovoltaic panels, preserving the property’s external aesthetic and ensuring it remained sympathetic to conservation area guidelines. The project also included the installation of modern mechanical ventilation with heat recovery systems to improve energy efficiency.
Health and safety considerations were also paramount. Following the fire, our team worked closely with the local authority to replace timber cladding with a non-combustible alternative, delivering both compliance and peace of mind without compromising design integrity.
Additionally, the original timber frame structure was replaced with a traditional masonry cavity wall construction, offering superior durability and increased fire resistance.
As a result of the construction design, our team achieved fabric performance exceeding current building regulation requirements.
A successful outcome
Through a collaborative and well-managed approach to a complex project, practical completion was achieved three months ahead of programme. This minimised disruption for the homeowner, allowing them to return to the property in time for their desired date.
Ian Lapsley, technical director and architectural and planning manager, said: “Working for an architect accustomed to delivering luxury projects added an extra layer of pressure, alongside the logistical constraints and technical heritage and conservation challenges. However, our team delivered excellent solutions and a brilliant end result for the client, testament to their collaborative multi-disciplinary approach and expertise.”
