Summary = Bakers recently built a new extension to St Marys church which sits separate to the rest of the church, with entrance, to provide a separate community room and facilities.

Location = Essex

Dates = January 2021 to August 2021

Value = £450,000

Awards: DAC Design Awards Scheme 2022 (Commended)

Solution = In 2021 Bakers completed this new build church extension which provides a new community room with kitchen area and two w/c.

The annexe extension to the South side of the church was constructed from brick, part steel, part glulam timber with stone quoins, parapets and detailing around the windows. It is on a shallow reinforced concrete ground bearing slab to protect the existing archaeology.

The feature glass panelled roof to the church side of the new extension allows sunlight to shine through the roof and into the existing church windows, ensuring the new extension does not block out any natural sunlight from the existing church.

In addition to the church extension, Bakers of Danbury also re-ordered the nave. The remodelling of the main seating area of the church has created a bright, open space, with new flooring and light-weight chairs. This will allow for so much more flexibility for various forms of worship and for weddings, funerals and christenings. It will also significantly extend its use for large community events such as concerts, plays and exhibitions and for smaller, social activities such as quiz nights. An important decision was taken to leave the Chancel – the area around the Altar – untouched. All of the pews with their beautiful carvings therefore remain in this area.

This project won Commended at the DAC Design Awards Scheme 2022

Summary = Bakers recently carried out the repair and conservation to the Grade II Listed former library on Mill Road, Cambridge

Location = Cambridge

Awards = Greater Cambridge Design and Construction Awards 2022 (Commended)

Challenge = The biggest challenge was replacing the rotten clerestory windows and posts to the vaulted ceiling

Solution = Bakers of Danbury recently completed works to the Former Library on Mill Road, Cambridge to repair, conserve and restore the historic fabric of the Victorian Grade II listed building. The building had been vacant for several years and was at risk, due to extensive damp caused by a failing rainwater system, poor ventilation and lack of regular maintenance.

The new rainwater goods installed were designed and adapted by the architect to address the increased rainwater capacity due to climate change. Defective plaster was removed and renewed with a breathable lime render.

Whilst supporting the existing roof, Bakers carefully removed the clerestory windows and repaired the timber posts and oak sills onsite. The clerestory windows were repaired and repainted at Baker's joinery workshop in Danbury, before being returned to site, reinstalled and fitted with a new automated opening system operated both manually and via thermostatic control to provide natural ventilation.

External works included brick and stone repairs, renewal and consolidation; and replacement lead roofing. Once on site, additional items were identified needing urgent attention – these included hidden steels within the roof structure; lath and plaster ceiling to the barrel vault; stabilisation of external stone and brick and repairs at high level to the parapet.

The central roof lantern was restored, including structural timber repair, renewal of the lead and timber repairs and redecoration to the windows.

Former Mill Road Library was Commended in the Greater Cambridge Design and Construction Awards 2022.

Images: Damian Griffiths