HERITAGE ARCHITECTURE
Kyson have long held the belief that any architecture of today is only successful because of the historic precedent set before it. As such, through extensive research and experience we have over time developed a strong knowledge of our country’s building heritage and a great understanding of historical building techniques, all of which combines to add further dimension and integrity to each of our projects.
Since our inception we have worked on many heritage projects of varying scales, across some of the many historic and sensitive sites with recent commissions working on buildings designed by prestigious architects such as founder of the Arts & Crafts Movement Philip Webb, Neo-classical architect Robert Adam and Victorian architect CHB Quennell. Following in the footsteps of our predecessors, at the heart of our practice is a commitment to produce honest, well-crafted architecture that is true of its time yet affirming of the past.
Below we share our understanding and approach to the careful and sensitive treatment and restoration of our country’s building stock, be that in the restoration of a building back to its original intent, or the re-purposing of a building through modern intervention. With all our projects, regardless of size or scope, we seek to deliver an outcome that is of exceptional quality that matches our commitment to producing beautiful design.
Understanding Heritage Buildings
Working with historic buildings at all levels of intervention requires a strong understanding and sensitivity to the history of the building and the historical context in which it is set.
Kyson are aware of the shifts in architectural styles, building techniques, social values and changes that have developed throughout our country’s history and subsequently we are able to gain a detailed understanding of a building’s own particular past. Knowledge about its time in history, the original architect and its occupants, the building methods of that period all collate to provide an explanation as to why it looks a certain way. Where there is little record of a particular building we take a more forensic approach, finding clues in the building itself.
It is only once this in-depth analysis of a building is formulated can any works to a historic building be considered. Jumping the gun, so to speak, risks jeopardising the original building’s integrity and can result in major problems down the line - without a thorough understanding of the differences between traditional and modern building techniques can lead to significant harm being made to the building. Our detailed knowledge and experience in conjunction with Historic Building Consultants has allowed us to complete many successful heritage projects that not only mitigate harm but often further enhance the historic building, earning us a reputation amongst local planners and consultants as a practice that can carefully navigate the intricacies of heritage design in a sympathetic yet innovative manner.
Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas
Our extensive work across many London Boroughs and further afield has allowed us to build up a good working relationship across many local authorities. In particular, we have a very successful track record with Tower Hamlets, Kensington & Chelsea, Westminster and Hackney Planning Departments following many successful applications. We put this success down not simply to our high standards for design, but also our strong awareness of both planning policy and planning aspirations alongside listed building processes, and our ability to work successfully alongside Historic Building Consultants.
With many years of exposure to the UK’s construction market, with particular focus in London, we have gained a strong awareness of the viability and scope of such projects and we allow this awareness to inform our proposals from the outset. Through liaising with local councils we have also successfully navigated many third party stakeholder processes relevant to a planning and/or listed building application. We are familiar with design review processes having presented several of our larger schemes to Design Review Panels and Conservation Advisory Panels as well as presented to local community groups and public exhibitions. At various times we have liaised with many other interested third parties such as the Victorian and Georgian Societies, Museum of London Archaeology and The Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings, amongst others.
Contemporary Living in Historic Conditions
The integration of technology and elegant design is the heartbeat of what we do and underpins the decisions made at all levels, both in the macro and micro, throughout our practice.
When approaching a heritage project it is often assumed that technology and historic design cannot, or should not be integrated, that both technology and good design are on the most part mutually exclusive with the one achieved at the expense of the other. Yet we are committed to wholeheartedly prioritising the unification of these two principles, should the project require it. We fight hard to retain design purity despite the influx of bureaucracy, policy and regulation that contemporary living has brought with it.
Historic Building Servicing Strategies
To this end, we take great care when working on historic buildings to ensure the introductions of such technologies (mechanical ventilation systems, electrical systems etc.) along with modern day living requirements (data supply, AV systems etc) are considered as part of the overall concept, not simply a forgotten add-on. Working in the context of a historical building, particularly those that are listed, comes great responsibility and a necessity to profoundly understand that heritage is an essential part of the local environment as it continues to tell a vital story for future generations. In many aspects adding something new can be a challenging balancing act as any new design risks a struggle to establish itself alongside that which exists already. Whenever our work involves the introduction of modern interventions it is important to consider it as a new chapter in the history of the building rather than trying to write a new history from scratch - respect for the past is imperative, all the more as our standards for living and thus the introduction of new technologies increases.
From the outset an approach is agreed, whether to hide or to expose the equipment. This approach then forms a fundamental part of the concept brief, which in turn is developed at every stage through careful and in-depth detailing. This high level consideration ensures that modern intervention can sit comfortably and coherently alongside existing historic fabric and original architectural features in a complementary manner.
By way of example, our award-winning Soho Square project - the restoration of a grade II listed townhouse in central London - introduced modern living facilities into the house that was originally built with no electricity or plumbing. Through careful and innovative design solutions (utilisation of chimney stacks, floor voids etc) we were able to introduce such facilities without any visual impact to the internal spaces in a minimally invasive process.
Contemporary Design Underpinned by Historic Precedent
This knowledge of architectural styles and ability to research individual buildings is also important in informing designs for new buildings so that they are responsive to their historical context. In our experience the most successful projects, be that historic or contemporary, are underpinned by an understanding and consideration of the works of our predecessors prior to considering their modern, technologised contemporaries; considering ancient building principles and methods that have stood the test of time, and then asking how modern intervention can aid them rather than the other way round, thus rooting each design in tried-and-tested truths, underpinned by historic knowledge. Much like how Georgian and Victorian neo-classical design is rooted in the principles of its ancestors, so to do we look to apply such an approach to the architect of our day.
To this end our practice has undergone much research into traditional design techniques with an emphasis on the expression of architectural form and an underlying rationale derived from the detail, arrangement and proportions of classical architecture.
Often delivered in a minimalist way our contemporary designs always have classical design techniques at their root, referencing classical order for scale, the golden ration for proportion and entasis for elevational scale and perspective.
If you own a historic building which requires work or are considering acquiring a building of heritage please contact us and we will be happy to talk more about your project and advise on the possible next steps.
