Award-winning architects give their views on chapel and church conversions
The South Wales Evening Post newspaper asked the award-winning Lewis Architects to give their views on the conversion and renovation of chapels and churches.
To put it in context, the Post were running a special ‘planning focus’ feature on the issue.
The comments were used in the following story. See link to the story on the South Wales Evening Post website -
http://www.southwales-eveningpost.co.uk/FEATURE-Historic-church-buildings-changed-homes/story-20767161-detail/story.html
Obviously, for editorial purposes, a few words were edited out of our submitted comments.
The full Lewis Partnership statement for the newspaper is below -
To put it in context, the Post were running a special ‘planning focus’ feature on the issue.
The comments were used in the following story. See link to the story on the South Wales Evening Post website -
http://www.southwales-eveningpost.co.uk/FEATURE-Historic-church-buildings-changed-homes/story-20767161-detail/story.html
Obviously, for editorial purposes, a few words were edited out of our submitted comments.
The full Lewis Partnership statement for the newspaper is below -
Philip Lewis, seated, managing director of the Lewis Partnership, and Wynford Lewis, chairman of the Lewis Partnership.
Award-winning architects the Lewis Partnership know all about the challenges of converting and renovating chapels and churches.
“It’s a task which requires a high degree of sensitivity and a great deal of imagination,” said Philip Lewis, managing director of the Llanelli-based firm.
“Fortunately, we have acquired a great deal of experience in the area.”
Philip’s dad Wynford spent more than 25 years working on the planning committee for the St David’s Diocese.
“Experience like that in dealing with religious buildings stands you in great stead,” said Wynford, now chairman at the Lewis Partnership.
“At the outset, I’d have to say that no-one likes to see a church or a chapel building go out of use.
“But when it does happen (as is often the case today) non-one likes to see such fine buildings slip into a state of disrepair or dereliction.
“Our forefathers were the proud founders of these great buildings and I am sure they would like to see the buildings in use, rather than be left to rot.
“And where conversions and renovations are done successfully and tastefully, there can be much to admire about them.”
The Lewis Partnership’s work down the years has taken in residential conversions, but they have also been very successful in converting sites at Glenalla and Lakefield into community centres.
“Projects such as Glenalla and Lakefield in Llanelli have been very rewarding as the buildings retain that all-embracing community spirit which they had as chapels and churches,” said Wynford.
“Looking around Llanelli, there are other churches and chapels where renovations and conversions are in progress or may be happening soon – take Dock Chapel, St John’s in Seaside and St Alban’s Church.
“Obviously, where Cadw, the Welsh historic monuments organisation, has a view on the building then that must be factored in to any planned work.
“By their very shape and size, chapels and churches can provide a sizeable challenge for any architect. For example, how do you deal with the headroom? Do you put in extra floors? Do you put in a mezzanine floor? What do you do with the windows and entrances and exits?
“These are wonderful challenges for the architect and anyone worth their salt would relish the project. The trick is to come up with attractive and innovative solutions to fill the available space.”
“It’s a task which requires a high degree of sensitivity and a great deal of imagination,” said Philip Lewis, managing director of the Llanelli-based firm.
“Fortunately, we have acquired a great deal of experience in the area.”
Philip’s dad Wynford spent more than 25 years working on the planning committee for the St David’s Diocese.
“Experience like that in dealing with religious buildings stands you in great stead,” said Wynford, now chairman at the Lewis Partnership.
“At the outset, I’d have to say that no-one likes to see a church or a chapel building go out of use.
“But when it does happen (as is often the case today) non-one likes to see such fine buildings slip into a state of disrepair or dereliction.
“Our forefathers were the proud founders of these great buildings and I am sure they would like to see the buildings in use, rather than be left to rot.
“And where conversions and renovations are done successfully and tastefully, there can be much to admire about them.”
The Lewis Partnership’s work down the years has taken in residential conversions, but they have also been very successful in converting sites at Glenalla and Lakefield into community centres.
“Projects such as Glenalla and Lakefield in Llanelli have been very rewarding as the buildings retain that all-embracing community spirit which they had as chapels and churches,” said Wynford.
“Looking around Llanelli, there are other churches and chapels where renovations and conversions are in progress or may be happening soon – take Dock Chapel, St John’s in Seaside and St Alban’s Church.
“Obviously, where Cadw, the Welsh historic monuments organisation, has a view on the building then that must be factored in to any planned work.
“By their very shape and size, chapels and churches can provide a sizeable challenge for any architect. For example, how do you deal with the headroom? Do you put in extra floors? Do you put in a mezzanine floor? What do you do with the windows and entrances and exits?
“These are wonderful challenges for the architect and anyone worth their salt would relish the project. The trick is to come up with attractive and innovative solutions to fill the available space.”
Comments