The UK boasts countless examples of beautiful period homes that appear frozen in time, but behind many of these elegant façades lay a different story of a more modern era of living. Here at DSA, we been the structural engineers on many such modernisation projects, such as our most recent one in Furlong Road in Islington, London, and sometimes it’s hard to decide whether we’re modernising or preserving for many years to come.
London townhouse refurbishment
When we were appointed as the structural engineers to work on a London townhouse renovation this question was placed right under the spotlight. The Islington townhouse is a stunning example of a period property in London, but in its original layout it was clear to see it didn’t lend itself to how we like to live today. Our clients wanted a more open-plan and flexible living space, that felt minimal, bright and airy.
Classic outside, modern inside
DSA structural engineers worked hard to preserve the outside while completely transforming it inside and adding a sympathetic extension to the back of the property. With robust structural planning and a temporary work scheme, walls have been removed and living spaces opened up in line with how our clients want to live.
Modernisation and preservation can be the same
As the project’s structural engineers, we realised that by modernising this house we were actually preserving it as a safe and stable home for years to come. Having completed our due diligence of surveys and site tests we know that left alone the building was beginning to deteriorate. We discovered various construction inconsistencies as well as shallow foundations that needed careful intervention and strengthening. By taking the opportunity to restore and renew, the house is once again in tip top condition and fully aligned with modern day living preferences.
There were several interesting moments during the build when it appeared historic drawings were not as accurate as todays technical drawings would be, probably due to decades of adaption and patchwork fixes, but modern-day structural engineering techniques enabled us to deal with these as they appeared.
So, to modernise or preserve? That is the question
Our opinion is that they can be one of the same – or completely different. Historic buildings can be restored exactly in the way they would have been originally built, or they can be renovated to suit modern day preferences.
For this project in Furlong Road, it became clear that by modernising the building we have potentially rescued it from age related decline, preserving the character and craftsmanship that has gone before. The real opportunity is finding the right balance of blending the two. Retaining a property’s timeless charm and adding a modern lease of life is no compromise – we think it’s thoughtful evolution.
Building on the past for a better future
Sometimes, modernising an old home is the very thing that protects it. It’s also a reminder that old buildings don’t need to be frozen in history to be respected. With intelligent structural engineering and constantly listening to what the structure reveals, it’s possible to modernise and preserve buildings, while ending up with something better and stronger than if either were done in isolation.
If you’re thinking of a restoration or renovation project, get in touch with DSA.