The Issue

The Downs School faced an issue not uncommon to independent schools occupying older buildings; the Grade II listed building external fabric was in need of urgent and costly attention, while the rate of deterioration was increasing month on month.

The Challenge

Ignoring the issue was not an option – a solution was urgently required where the building fabric was protected from further deterioration while in parallel, the financial investment delivered an enhanced visible appearance.

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The Solution

Berkeley Place established that the optimum solution could be provided by repairing only the areas where render was in bad repair. Once scaffold was erected, a full inspection of the wall surface areas determined render requiring removal and that which could remain. Render repair was completed to match the existing finish. Repainting the entire building upon completion blended repair work with the existing. Preparation and repainting of all down pipes and windows added to the finished project appearance.

Cheaper

The above solution provides The Downs School with a magnificently restored building envelope for a fraction of the financial investment previously anticipated.

Faster

Having quickly established a robust line of communication and working relationship with The Downs School property committee, Berkeley Place acted swiftly to deal with local stakeholders and influencers with regard to the need for Listed Building Consent. Because all of the work could be interpreted as ‘like for like’ essential repairs, it was agreed Listed Building Consent was not required, saving eight weeks from the overall process.

Better

Saving The Downs School cost and time and working closely with them to ensure any inconvenience around pupil movement was minimised, kept disruption under control. Fully scaffolding the building permitted more effective coordination of supplementary outstanding essential repair work.