Elizabethan Manor House

Location: Devon

Client: Private Client

Architect: Rodney Melville and Partners

Value: £5.3M

This Grade I listed Elizabethan manor house, originally built in the 17th century, suffered a devastating fire in November 2012.

A specialist conservation team was appointed to restore and reinstate the building, preserving its significant historic character.

The fire caused extensive structural damage, with approximately 80% of the roof structure destroyed. The challenge was to rebuild the roof while retaining as much of the surviving historic fabric as possible. Any intervention needed to respect the building’s Grade I status, requiring careful integration of new structural elements with the remaining original oak framework.

SFK Consulting developed a detailed repair strategy fort the roof. Working alongside Historic England and the conservation Architect.

A combination of repair and replacement was adopted: surviving sections of the original oak roof structure were carefully repaired using oak, much of it sourced from the estate, while new structural elements were introduced where the roof was completely destroyed, using a steel frame and softwood construction. This approach balanced structural performance with conservation principles.

The project successfully restored the manor house following catastrophic fire damage.

The reconstructed roof combines traditional materials with modern structural support, ensuring both durability and authenticity. The building’s historic integrity has been preserved, securing its long-term future while maintaining its architectural significance.

Project Categories

New Buildings Education Country Houses Historic Parks & Gardens Commercial Residential Ancient Monuments Ecclesiastical Agricultural & Industrial Post-Fire Restoration

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