Conservation & Heritage

Conservation & Heritage

Our Specialist Approach to Conservation 

We understand the importance of conserving and sensitively restoring heritage structures so their stories can continue. Our solutions are driven by our commitment to be sympathetic to the historically significant and Grade 1, 2* and 2 listed structures we design for, redevelop and regenerate.

We work closely with esteemed public bodies such as the Civic Society and Historic England to actively contribute to the maintenance and restoration of buildings with historical significance. Through these partnerships, we preserve the heritage fabric of our communities.

Conservation & Heritage

Our Conservation Philosophy

Recognising that heritage structures require a unique approach, we prioritise the use of traditional materials and craftship wherever possible. As a client, you can expect us to follow these 7 steps when approaching your conservation project:

  1. Comprehensive Review: We meticulously examine all available information to fully grasp the significance and history of the building.

  2. Visual Inspection: We gain a deep understanding of the structure's condition and requirements.

  3. Pre-Design Checks: We identify the need for any pre-design assessments and determine the least intrusive methods for exploratory investigations, always striving to minimize intervention. Non-destructive techniques are employed whenever feasible.

  4. Design Validation: Our team rigorously checks and validates the design elements to ensure structural integrity and compliance with conservation principles.

  5. Load Testing: In cases where elements may appear insufficient but have withstood the test of time, we consider conducting full-scale load tests for further evaluation.

  6. Collaboration with Authorities: We engage in active consultation with the Local Authority planning department, particularly the Conservation Officer and Historic England, to ensure the appropriateness and acceptance of our proposed works.

  7. Sympathetic Repairs: Our ultimate goal is to develop repairs that stay true to the original fabric of the structure, preserving and conserving its unique character and heritage as much as possible.

Preserving our heritage, one structure at a time.

Our Conservation & Heritage Projects

Opera North, Leeds
Arts & Culture

Redevelopment of Opera North's existing facilities to provide modern spaces for the leading arts organisation.

Opera North, Leeds

Gladstone’s Land, Edinburgh
Arts & Culture

Restoration and retrofitting to one of the oldest buildings on Edinburgh's Royal Mile.

Gladstone’s Land, Edinburgh

Albert Dock, Liverpool
Mixed Use Regeneration

Engineering to save the Albert Dock from demolition, followed by 40 years of continuous involvement.

Albert Dock, Liverpool

Newport Transporter Bridge
Arts & Culture

Preservation of the Grade I listed bridge and provision of new visitor centre to continue the story of one of the world's last working transporter bridges.

Newport Transporter Bridge

Railway Inn, Thatchers
Sports & Leisure

A full restoration of a Victorian public house for Thatchers Cider

Railway Inn, Thatchers

Shrewsbury Museum, Shrophshire
Arts & Culture

A former music hall has been refurbished to become a museum and visitor centre housing Shropshire's extensive collection of artefacts.

Shrewsbury Museum, Shrophshire

What Our Clients Say

Curtins have been a trustworthy and valued part of our design team and have provided an excellent service to us. Their experience of working around the UK on a variety of projects has proved to be of particular value to our team. The delivery of the commission and the assistance afforded to our Estates Team during development of the design for the Grade 1 building was of particular note. We would not hesitate to recommend Curtins to others.

Further Reading

See More
newsNews
15th Nov 23

Announcing our Carbon Impact Report

We set out our commitment and approach to decreasing the average embodied carbon in our projects and reducing our business emissions.

Carbon Impact Report
viewsViews
22nd Sep 23

Curtins leads the discussion on Embodied Carbon in Cumbria

Experts from across Curtins shared insights and best practice on how carbon data, civil and structural engineering and the conservation of existing buildings align to deliver lower embodied carbon solutions.

Suzanne Johnsen speaking at event
newsNews
3rd Aug 23

Kendal Event: How to Deliver Embodied Carbon Reduction

Thursday 21st September, 8-11am

Event