Chris Granger enabled and project managed the refurbishment of the under valued and poorly respected circulation space between the school and its sports hall with award winning artist Charlie Winney to create a dynamic and vibrant thoroughfare. The new design has accentuated the journey and sporting potential of the student body who use it on a daily basis.
Chris’s determination prevailed to drive new design in a forgotten space. The installation is made up with a series of mirrors and strips of large photographic prints – only by standing in specific positions within the underpass, do the strips of images come together to form one complete photograph. The images used are those of the school’s pupils playing sport. The client agrees that this intervention has transformed the underpass into something amazing.
Revitalising a Sunderland landmark 🙌
Hutchinsons Buildings, known locally as Mackie’s Corner, is a Grade II listed Victorian building at the heart of Sunderland’s historic high streets. Built in the 1850s and shaped by fire, rebuild and change, it remains a defining feature of the city’s commercial quarter.
Now part of Sunderland’s Historic High Streets Heritage Action Zone, the building was carefully repaired and safeguarded for future use through a heritage-led regeneration programme with Sunderland City Council and Historic England.
Our work focused on sensitive repair, retention of historic fabric and targeted interventions, from stonework and roof repairs to reinstated shopfronts and improved drainage, ensuring this landmark can once again play an active role in the city ✨
#HeritageDesign #Conservation #Architecture
Jan 5
Along with Dominic Roberts, we lead a team of consultants to restore historic buildings in Burton-in-Kendal 🙌
The Partnership objectives were:
🔸 Restore and repurpose heritage buildings, boosting investment confidence and protecting the area’s environmental quality.
🔸 Enhance the public realm, improving floorscapes and visual character in The Square, the community’s central gathering space.
🔸 Promote heritage skills and community understanding, highlighting the benefits of building conservation, craftsmanship, and contextual design.
Working alongside Historic England, the team also developed a national housing exemplar, demonstrating how sensitive housing growth can regenerate rural villages and market towns while monitoring economic, environmental, and social impacts.
Through the Public Realm Improvement Plan, the project set a clear vision for The Square, combined stakeholder input into a cohesive scheme, incorporated community involvement via heritage training, and delivered works that truly reflect the local identity 👏
A great example of how design, heritage, and community can come together to sustain and enhance our built environment.
#HeritageDesign #Conservation #Architecture
Dec 28
We`re proud to act as Inspecting Architects for St. Helen’s Church, a Grade I listed gem recently added to Historic England’s Heritage at Risk Register ⛪
Over two phases (2017–2019), we tackled critical masonry decay caused by inappropriate cement mortars and water. Works included:
👉 Re-roofing the chancel
👉 Stone repairs
👉 Mortar indents
👉 Friable stone stabilisation
👉 Traditional limewashing
With support from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, the project also provided craft skills training, archaeological investigation and a new guidebook to celebrate and safeguard this historic site.
Swipe to see the before and after 👏
#HeritageConservation #Architecture #EnglishHeritage
Dec 22
