A Lutyens treasure brought back to life
Last year, we shared an update on our work at Littlecroft in Guildford - a remarkable Grade II listed home designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens. At the time, the carefully designed extension and restoration works were taking shape, with the aim of creating a home that would respect Lutyens' original vision while meeting the needs of modern family life.We're delighted to say the project is now complete. Working on a building by one of Britain's most celebrated architects is both a privilege and a responsibility. Every decision had to balance conservation with practicality, ensuring the character, proportions and craftsmanship that [...]
Enhancing commercial potential in historic buildings
Delivering a successful commercial project is never only about creating a functional space. It’s about finding the right balance between commercial ambition, heritage value and long-term adaptability. At NJ Architects, this balance defines much of our work, and few projects demonstrate it better than the transformation of the Isaac Lord Complex on Ipswich’s historic waterfront. Drone video footage of the exterior (taken by Shaun Soanes) A complex with centuries of stories The Isaac Lord group of buildings is a remarkable survival in the town centre. Its merchant’s complex dates from the fifteenth to the seventeenth centuries, with later [...]
Planning submitted for the restoration and conversion of The Great White Horse Hotel, Ipswich
We have submitted a planning and listed building application for the sensitive conversion of one of Ipswich’s recognisable landmarks - The Great White Horse Hotel on Tavern Street. The Grade II* listed building, located in the heart of Ipswich town centre, has long been included on Historic England’s Heritage at Risk Register (Category A). Our proposals seek to secure its long-term future through a carefully considered refurbishment that both preserves its historic significance and brings it back into sustainable use. A mixed-use future for a heritage landmark The plans propose a mixed-use development comprising three retail units at street [...]
Surveying Ipswich’s historic mansions
Our Partner, Shaun Soanes, recently captured stunning aerial footage of two of Ipswich’s significant historic buildings: Chantry Mansion and Christchurch Mansion. Armed with his newly acquired drone pilot qualification, Shaun was able to record high-resolution images and video from above, giving us a unique perspective of these heritage properties. The footage forms part of condition surveys we are undertaking for Ipswich Borough Council, helping to identify what repairs and maintenance work may be needed to preserve these important landmarks for the future. By combining traditional surveying expertise with modern drone technology, we can assess hard-to-reach areas safely, efficiently, and in [...]
Continuing Our Work on a Lutyens Treasure
Three years ago, we shared the story of our work on two rare and beautiful Lutyens properties - one in Suffolk and one in Guildford, each with its own history and restoration needs. Sir Edwin Landseer Lutyens, one of Britain’s most important architects, is best known for his Arts and Crafts houses, the Cenotaph in Whitehall, and his role in designing New Delhi. His country houses in particular show his exceptional ability to marry traditional design with the needs of the era. The Guildford property we are working on perfectly reflects this ethos. The brief was to extend the house [...]
St George’s, Thornham – a thoughtful continuation
Following the success of the original homes at St George’s in Thornham, the next phase of this distinctive development is almost complete - two more plots that continue the commitment to traditional Norfolk architecture, timeless materials and modern luxury. Nestled within the same peaceful corner of the North Norfolk coast, these two plots have been designed with the same sensitivity and individual character as the first phase. Now approaching completion, the homes carry forward the ethos that made the original scheme so special: generous proportions, carefully considered detailing and a deep respect for local vernacular. Photos of the project can [...]
Attention to detail for a historic building’s ‘smallest room’ leads to awards success
We believe every space, no matter how humble, deserves thoughtful design and meticulous attention.The spaces we use can have a profound effect on how we go about our day-to-day lives – whether it’s a stunning yet functional kitchen, a cosy historic pub lounge or a sleek and inspiring workplace. So our team at NJ Architects were delighted to discover our work on St. Stephen's Church, a Grade II* listed medieval church transformed into a creative community hub in Ipswich town centre, had scooped a national award for its humble washrooms!Raising standards The design has been awarded Platinum in the prestigious [...]
How many architects does it take to build a Minecraft village?
Any of you with kids will know the draw of Minecraft. But does it resonate with the architects among you?You may well chuckle. After all, those of us in the built environment sector pride ourselves on design work far superior to the block shapes of Mojang Studios. But gaming industry technology is helping transform 3D conception in architecture through BIM and CAD data models. And visualisation techniques from video games are helping planners and the public understand architecture.What’s more – there’s evidence to suggest this type of gaming might also help architecture’s bid to decarbonise.Tech talkArchitectural technology has emerged as a [...]
Preserving the past with historic building restoration
Older buildings often reflect centuries worth of history but many of these glorious structures can begin to look unsightly over time. Sensitive interior and exterior restoration is the most visible way to conserve a building, and when carried out correctly, it helps to restore and increase its lifespan. Restoring older buildings helps to maintain the character of an area and brings diversity to the architectural landscape. Historic buildings can also be repurposed for other uses, their original exterior preserved and the interior renovated for modern needs, giving new life to a building that might have fallen into disrepair. Modern interiors [...]
Preserving history with funded restoration projects
Safeguarding cultural landmarks plays an instrumental part in the preservation of the nation’s history but the restoration of older buildings often requires a substantial budget. Many iconic buildings have been brought back to life with the support of grant funding, including the National Lottery Heritage Fund that supports architects, historians and property owners who aim to preserve the heritage of noteworthy buildings across the country. Guardians of heritage Hundreds of landmarks across the UK have benefitted from National Lottery funding from ancient castles to picturesque estates. Some of these properties are privately owned, like Wentworth Woodhouse, an opulent Georgian building [...]
Last year, we shared an update on our work at Littlecroft in Guildford - a remarkable Grade II listed home designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens. At the time, the carefully [...]
Delivering a successful commercial project is never only about creating a functional space. It’s about finding the right balance between commercial ambition, heritage value and long-term adaptability. At NJ Architects, [...]
We have submitted a planning and listed building application for the sensitive conversion of one of Ipswich’s recognisable landmarks - The Great White Horse Hotel on Tavern Street. The [...]
Our Partner, Shaun Soanes, recently captured stunning aerial footage of two of Ipswich’s significant historic buildings: Chantry Mansion and Christchurch Mansion. Armed with his newly acquired drone pilot qualification, Shaun [...]
Three years ago, we shared the story of our work on two rare and beautiful Lutyens properties - one in Suffolk and one in Guildford, each with its own history [...]
Following the success of the original homes at St George’s in Thornham, the next phase of this distinctive development is almost complete - two more plots that continue the commitment [...]
We believe every space, no matter how humble, deserves thoughtful design and meticulous attention.The spaces we use can have a profound effect on how we go about our day-to-day lives [...]
Any of you with kids will know the draw of Minecraft. But does it resonate with the architects among you?You may well chuckle. After all, those of us in the [...]
Older buildings often reflect centuries worth of history but many of these glorious structures can begin to look unsightly over time. Sensitive interior and exterior restoration is the most visible [...]
Safeguarding cultural landmarks plays an instrumental part in the preservation of the nation’s history but the restoration of older buildings often requires a substantial budget. Many iconic buildings have been [...]
