Summary = Construction of a new third floor, internal alterations, new lift and two new staircases, internal and external refurbishment to the Chapter House at St Paul's Cathedral.
Value = £2,200,000
Location = St Paul's Cathedral, London
Challenge = Working on a Grade II listed building within the city of London provided its own distinct set of challenges. The location of the works carried out were adjacent to the very busy Paternoster Square and St Pauls' Cathedral, therefore Bakers had to minimise the disruption to tourists, businesses and visitors. The client and architect were looking to provide a 21st century office and meeting space, while at the same time preserving the layout and traditional finishes seen in many parts of the building.
Solution = Located immediately next to St Paul's Cathedral, the Chapter House, designed and built by Sir Christopher Wren and his son in 1715 is an elegant red brick building which provides offices for St Paul's Cathedral and also houses two intimate rooms available for private hire.
St Paul's Cathedral, the Chapter House - New mansard roof
Works involved the installation of a temporary roof whilst the existing roof was dismantled. A new lead mansard roof with windows was installed to create an additional floor of office space. The upper slope of the roof is not visible from street level when viewed from close proximity to the building. Within the new floor glass partitions divided the office space, and built in storage cupboards were manufactured and installed by Bakers joinery workshop.
St Paul's Cathedral, the Chapter House - Alterations
To the basement level, tanking and alterations were carried out to provide new office space and basement level w/c. Alteration works to the existing first and second floors included the installation of a new kitchen area. Glass partition walls were installed to the second floor to divide it into office space, whilst maintaining the original layout. A new oak reception desk was hand crafted and installed by Bakers' in-house joinery workshop. A new passenger lift was installed and two new oak staircases which were manufactured by Bakers' joinery workshop were designed and built around the new lift shaft.
Internal redecoration to the first and second floors included the refurbishment of the oak wall panels to both function rooms. The parquet floor was refurbished within one function room, and a new stained oak floor was installed in the second function room. The oak wall panels to the offices on the first and second floors were also refurbished, and a complete redecoration was carried out.
The full M & E package installed included air conditioning, ventilation and w/c for office staff. A data package was also installed for the existing and new offices and function rooms.
St Paul's Cathedral, the Chapter House - External Conservation
New York stone steps and coping stones were supplied by Bakers' sister company Collins and Curtis Masonry. The red brick exterior was cleaned and re-pointed, and the stone cut mouldings, pedimented doorways, cornice and paneled parapet were all repaired and cleaned. A new external platform lift clad with Portland stone was installed to provide access to the entrance for disabled visitors and staff.
