Linking Old Buildings To Modern Extensions

Building a modern extension on an old or heritage building creates many challenges.

Consideration has to be given not just to the aesthetics of old meets new and the decision to either reflect and match the original style or aim for a wholly contemporary new addition but also to the actual physical interface between modern building technology and the centuries old techniques employed by the original builders.

A defined link between the two can create not just an aesthetic division but also provide a physical buffer between the harder more inflexible modern addition and the original heritage property.

It's not unusual for the project to involve the input of numerous official bodies to ensure that the result meets the approval and constraints imposed by English Heritage and other conservation officers.

As a spokesman for English Heritage points out: 'Older buildings behave quite differently. They are likely to have more shallow foundations, be more flexible and breathable. If you build one directly against the other there will be a difference in movement.'

Typically, the Church of St Thomas of Canterbury at Worting near Basingstoke benefitted from the addition of a new community hall where parishioners could meet, hold church events and Sunday school workshops.

Built in 1848 in 14th century style the church is an integral part of village life but didn't include a separate venue for events and meetings.

Local architects were commissioned to design a Hall that was quite separate - but nevertheless there was a requirement to access the venue from the church itself.

This proved to be a complex project, not least because the Hall was built over part of the graveyard and had to be constructed on concrete piles positioned by infrared survey to avoid disturbing the graves, it required approval from some five different organisations in order to obtain planning permission.

The design incorporated a glass linkway joining the church to the new building. Entirely constructed in glass, the roof is supported by glass beams spanning into the old church wall. Just 8' long and 6' wide it is a modern addition to the original architecture that is both stylish and completely functional, with nothing detracting from or obscuring the simple, timeless beauty of the installation.

Glass expert Peter Hazeldean commented 'Using glass for the linkway provides a buffer between the old church and the new hall that also avoided the need for deep foundations on this sensitive area of the church yard. What's more it adds a stylish contemporary feature to the project and retains a wonderful feeling of light and space when people step out of the building.'

As part of the same project huge glass roof panels were installed in the new meeting room, which not only maximises the natural light, it also enables people using the new hall to see the church spire from inside the building. A porch constructed from glass and timber provide a stylish and contemporary entrance to the Community Hall.