Description
We were Principal Contractor on this conversion of a former Wesleyan Chapel into a conference/dining hall, community hall and social centre for the Archbishop of Cardiff.
The building, Grade 2 listed, was a Chapel and Boys School, finely detailed, and funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund together with the Archdiocese. The internal features were preserved and restored where possible, including new stained glass windows, stone mouldings and limework; those features removed were then incorporated in the new scheme, for example the pews were made into dado panelling, and memorial stones mounted in a stone garden wall.
The building was completely reserviced with new underfloor heating, water and electrical systems, including AV for future usage. The roof, in poor condition and leaking badly, was fully reslated and insulation fitted, together with repointing, stone cleaning and new leadwork externally.
A mezzanine floor was added to the School Hall with glass balustrading, forming community space and toilet facility, with the Hall itself made into a function space with separate meeting rooms, kitchen and lift.
The Chapel upper floor, with its pews and organ removed, was made into a large function room with Bar, stage and new reception space, combined with prep kitchen, two lifts, and retained the original Gallery to one end. The lower floor below was altered to contain a full catering kitchen with preparation area, walk-in freezer and walk-in cold store, a community space with servery , private dining room, wine cellar and beer cellar. The lower to upper ground floor structure was completely renewed, preserving the original cast iron columns and moulded timber beams, creating new beams to match.
Between the two Halls, in the link building we formed toilet facilities, prep kitchen, boiler room and meeting rooms.
Our internal work included new structural floors, opening up of previously unseen and unknown original features, substantial replastering in lime, new partitions, doors, frames, staircases, redecoration and new floor finishes.
Throughout the build, conservation principles were used, with close supervision by Planners and CADW, resulting in a building rejuvenated and with a new purpose, to serve the local community.
The project value was £1.6m, completed in 40 weeks, with a large spend on additional works.
This project has made the shortlist for RICS Project of the Year and has been entered into the CE in Wales Awards.