Client’s Requirements

The existing Manor House, formerly Lewisham Library was to be redeveloped to create a learning, community & library centre.  The Grade II listed Georgian Building was to be completely refurbished to provide access and to facilitate high-tech activities and high density IT use. The existing Georgian pilaster ceilings, cornicing, wall relief and other features were to be retained, but the building was to offer full flexibility for 21st century business, research and education

Silcock Leedham’s Contribution

Silcock Leedham carried out full detailed design including vertical transportation and fire engineering.  The building was modelled to utilise the benefits of the thermal heavy weight original stone structure and factored into the comfort cooling / environmental control system calculations to minimise plant size and utilise a mixed-mode natural ventilation system where possible.

The 2500m2 Grade II listed building included a small amount of permanent exhibition space, meeting space and audio visual suite but was primarily to be used as a community library as well as education spaces with the clients aspiration – working with local conservation groups - to retain the presence and grandeur of the original building and grounds. Due to the constraints of the building the design had to maximise the minimal space available and integrate the new building engineering services within the existing listed building structure

Detailed surveys were carried out for all of the existing exposed and concealed services to establish points of connection and ‘soft-target’ service routing to minimise the impact on the building and finishes.

Added Value / Unique Selling Points

Due to the sensitive nature and public profile of the project a highly collaborative and integrated approach, which is a Silcock Leedham asset, was required.  Our design approach was based on minimal impact to the existing listed building & finishes and involved a high level of co-ordination with the other design team members and specialist consultants. Silcock Leedham were responsible for full compliance with Part L building regulations

A particular challenge was integrating a new glass lift into the centre of the building within the existing central spiral staircase, this required detail coordination with the lift supplier and ‘taking on’ the lift and shaft design to create a bespoke solution and not a lift catalogue standard – we adopt the stance that everything can be challenged.