Wark Old Church | Creating a Passivhaus Holiday Let
We are currently working with our visionary clients on the conversion of the former Wark United Reform Methodist chapel, to form one holiday let. The project will see the former chapel in the village of Wark in Northumberland, converted into a Passivhaus, Net Zero building, that will provide luxury, state of the art accommodation for visitors to enjoy.
The conversion of the 19th Century Warksburn Old Church, which will create luxury, energy efficient Passivhaus accommodation, is on site and progressing towards a completion late summer 2024.
We attained planning approval for the scheme in 2022/23, working alongside Ecospheric, a Passive House Consultancy, and our client. The former church, allocated as a none-designated heritage asset, retains the form of a traditional church conversion externally. All original features are retained, including the arched stone openings and the beautifully restored lead windows, carried out by Iona Art Glass. The interior design however is open plan and contemporary. The property will provide a generous, open plan living space with kitchen, dining and living space on the ground floor. The property provides three bedrooms, one of which is on the ground floor. All the bedrooms provide double beds and are ensuite.
The aim of our clients is to create a desirable, luxury holiday destination, using a low energy design, which is highly insulated and airtight. The south facing roof pitch includes a bank inset solar PV, which sit comfortably alongside the original slate and natural stone water tables. Working alongside Ecospheric, we have developed a series of complex details to insulate the building and ensure maximum airtightness can be achieved. The project employs a mix of high tech products, including far infrared heating panels which will be hidden in the floor, walls and ceiling, alongside traditional restoration techniques, includes lime mortar pointing and a lime screed ground floor which allows the structure to breath.
We look forward to seeing the build develop over the next few months.
