Renovation Programme
The renovation programme involves a major internal restoration of the building: removal of the old, failed heating system, introduction of a specialist underfloor heating technology, a new boiler with a new energy source, levelling of the floor, preserving heritage assets, new wall radiators, new lighting, redecoration and new furniture.
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Underfloor Heating
The new underfloor heating has been specially designed for listed buildings, with the kind of damp problems that St Mary’s has. The technology does not sit on a concrete base, rather on a bed of expanded glass insulation, which will allow the building to breathe. It will maintain an ambient temperature to prevent deterioration. The underfloor heating will connect to a new boiler, which will enable the system to move from oil as the energy source.
Photograph: St John the Baptist, Royston, showing underfloor heating
Underfloor Heating
The new underfloor heating has been specially designed for listed buildings, with the kind of damp problems that St Mary’s has. The technology does not sit on a concrete base, rather on a bed of expanded glass insulation, which will allow the building to breathe. It will maintain an ambient temperature to prevent deterioration. The underfloor heating will connect to a new boiler, which will enable the system to move from oil as the energy source.
Photograph: St John the Baptist, Royston, showing underfloor heating
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Level Floor
Once the old heating system is out of the way and the new underfloor technology is being installed, the floor will be levelled. Accessibility is a big concern, so the church will become step free from the entrance door through to the communion rail in the chancel. A gentle ramp will be created in the porch to allow easier access and the main floor will be levelled to remove the step to the chancel. The final floor finish will use bricks that match the current flooring surface. Materials will be reused and repurposed wherever possible throughout this project. Bricks that can be reused will be. Some of the pews will be repurposed as new furniture.
Photograph: St John the Baptist, Royston, showing level floor
Level Floor
Once the old heating system is out of the way and the new underfloor technology is being installed, the floor will be levelled. Accessibility is a big concern, so the church will become step free from the entrance door through to the communion rail in the chancel. A gentle ramp will be created in the porch to allow easier access and the main floor will be levelled to remove the step to the chancel. The final floor finish will use bricks that match the current flooring surface. Materials will be reused and repurposed wherever possible throughout this project. Bricks that can be reused will be. Some of the pews will be repurposed as new furniture.
Photograph: St John the Baptist, Royston, showing level floor
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Flexible Seating
Once the building has a level floor, new chairs will allow the building a wide range of flexible uses. New seating and storage will be designed for the South West and North West corners of the nave. Spaces will be created in the Chancel for small groups and quiet times. The sound desk will have a new position and secure storage. This will help keep the sacred space of the church tidy and free of clutter.
Photograph: St John the Baptist, Royston, showing level floor with flexible seating
Flexible Seating
Once the building has a level floor, new chairs will allow the building a wide range of flexible uses. New seating and storage will be designed for the South West and North West corners of the nave. Spaces will be created in the Chancel for small groups and quiet times. The sound desk will have a new position and secure storage. This will help keep the sacred space of the church tidy and free of clutter.
Photograph: St John the Baptist, Royston, showing level floor with flexible seating
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Restoration
The wall painting on north wall of the nave needs conservation. Professional conservators have assessed this painting and will stabilise and clean the artwork. In keeping with restoration best-practice, no new works will be done. The two models of the church which date from 1851 will also be restored.
Photograph: The wall painting on the north wall of the nave
Restoration
The wall painting on north wall of the nave needs conservation. Professional conservators have assessed this painting and will stabilise and clean the artwork. In keeping with restoration best-practice, no new works will be done. The two models of the church which date from 1851 will also be restored.
Photograph: The wall painting on the north wall of the nave
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Decoration and Drafts
The damp inside the church has caused the plasterwork to break into pieces in many places. The lime plaster will be repaired and the building will be repainted.
New inner doors will be fitted to the porch in the South aisle. These doors will be glass, providing a more welcoming entrance, allowing light in and helping to reduce the draughts. The inner porch doors will be retained and pinned open.
Photograph: St Mary's, Saffron Walden, showing the inner glass door
Decoration and Drafts
The damp inside the church has caused the plasterwork to break into pieces in many places. The lime plaster will be repaired and the building will be repainted.
New inner doors will be fitted to the porch in the South aisle. These doors will be glass, providing a more welcoming entrance, allowing light in and helping to reduce the draughts. The inner porch doors will be retained and pinned open.
Photograph: St Mary's, Saffron Walden, showing the inner glass door
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Electrics and Lighting
The electrical installation will be upgraded to remove the current extension cords which power items within the building. Ducting will be included under the floor and safe power sockets will be located around the church building to provide power wherever it may be needed.
The lighting system will be upgraded to take advantage of new, more energy efficient technology. The current chancel lights have failed, and the nave is only lit in the side aisles. New lighting technology will be able to illuminate architectural features and provide many more options for lighting different types of events and services.
Photograph: St John the Baptist, Royston
Electrics and Lighting
The electrical installation will be upgraded to remove the current extension cords which power items within the building. Ducting will be included under the floor and safe power sockets will be located around the church building to provide power wherever it may be needed.
The lighting system will be upgraded to take advantage of new, more energy efficient technology. The current chancel lights have failed, and the nave is only lit in the side aisles. New lighting technology will be able to illuminate architectural features and provide many more options for lighting different types of events and services.
Photograph: St John the Baptist, Royston
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Hard Hat Tours
A hard hat tour is an opportunity for a small group of people wearing hard hats to see inside the church while the renovation work is taking place, being guided by someone involved in the building work.
We will have a schedule available for hard hat tours of the building whilst the capital work is taking place.
Places are limited and are on a first come, first served basis. Details will be available at a later date.
Hard Hat Tours
A hard hat tour is an opportunity for a small group of people wearing hard hats to see inside the church while the renovation work is taking place, being guided by someone involved in the building work.
We will have a schedule available for hard hat tours of the building whilst the capital work is taking place.
Places are limited and are on a first come, first served basis. Details will be available at a later date.