The SPAB appoints architect for its Old House Project

The Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings (SPAB) has appointed Malcolm Fryer Architects (MFA) to carry out phase one of the charity’s ambitious repair and education project at medieval St Andrew’s chapel near Maidstone in Kent.

The Old House Project at St Andrew’s will return to good repair this ‘building at risk’ and provide a live site for training. Through onsite courses, video, 3D laser scanning technology from Terra Measurement and downloadable advice sheets the SPAB will bring every step of the repair process to life.

Malcolm Fryer, a SPAB Scholar, and his team will lead the SPAB through the crucial initial steps of acquiring listed building consent and planning permission for repair and alteration work.

MFA is a practice guided by the SPAB Approach, which emphasises the importance of the building’s fabric, and the benefits of taking a long-term view, when considering conservation. MFA also embraces sympathetic new design that respects and celebrates local materials and crafts.

Malcolm Fryer says:

“We are honoured and delighted to be involved in the Old House Project. St. Andrew’s is an extraordinary opportunity to bring a disused ancient building with so many wonderful layers back into meaningful use through careful repair and sensitive new design. There are some immense challenges to overcome and many debates to be had, but we are absolutely certain that the project will bring invaluable educational opportunities through the application of SPAB philosophy and its wealth of technical expertise”

Follow the project on social media: #SPABOldHouse @SPAB1877