Heritage Buildings – beauty or burden?!

Chris Dale • December 12, 2024

Heritage Buildings - beauty or burden? 

       Castle Peep, Windsor – Internal Refurbishment within Conservation Area

There aren’t many people who don’t love the charm, character and history of our old buildings. But with their ownership comes responsibility and doing it wrong could be a criminal offence, which we’d like to help you avoid!


Preserving heritage buildings in England is a delicate balance of honouring the past whilst accommodating the needs of the present and future. England’s architectural heritage, symbolised by its Grade I and Grade II listed buildings and Conservation Areas, tells a story of historical, cultural, and artistic significance.


For owners of listed buildings, any changes—be it restoration, renovation, or adaptation—must adhere to stringent guidelines set out to protect their historical value. This is where Architects and Heritage Consultants can play a pivotal role.


We feel very lucky to be based in Windsor which is renowned for its rich heritage and architectural significance. We regularly work with historic buildings – Georgian townhouses, Tudor cottages, Victorian terraces and so on – against a background of planning and legislative constraints which rightly ensures they are protected.



Understanding the Listing System and Conservation Areas


The Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 sets out the legal framework for the designation and protection of historic buildings. Listed buildings are graded as follows:


  • Grade I: Buildings of exceptional interest, constituting only 2.5% of listed properties.
  • Grade II*: Particularly important buildings of more than special interest.
  • Grade II: Buildings of special interest, warranting preservation.


Listing covers the entire building, including interiors and sometimes additional features like boundary walls or garden structures. Owners must obtain permission for any alterations that might affect the building's character or even it’s fabric; this might include putting pictures on the walls with nails!


Conservation areas exist to protect the special architectural and historic interest of a place rather than individual building. These are usually applied to an area that contains features that make it unique or distinctive. There are greater restrictions on work you can do within a Conservation Area without planning permission as councils look to preserve character and history.


It is also worth noting that the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) and/or Local Plans recognise non-designated heritage assets. These are buildings, monuments, sites or places that are considered important to a local area. Non-designated heritage assets are highlighted by local authorities or neighbourhood forums and are considered with greater rigor within the planning system.



The Architect’s Role in Heritage Preservation


So how can we help? Our role is to carefully balance the needs and desires of our clients against the limitations and requirements of heritage buildings. We hope to ensure that you gain all that you want for the project whilst protecting the history of the building.


1. Navigating the Planning Application Process:


When proposing alterations or repairs to a listed building, the first step is to submit a Listed Building Consent application. Artichoke can help you prepare the application by:


  • Developing Detailed Plans and Justifications: A successful application hinges on detailed documentation. Architects prepare scaled drawings, method statements, and written justifications demonstrating how the proposed works align with heritage preservation principles.
  • Producing a Heritage Impact Assessment (HIA): An HIA evaluates the potential impact of proposed works on the building’s significance. It considers historical, architectural, and cultural values, ensuring that alterations respect the building’s character and is justified.
  • Collaborating with Conservation Officers: Local authority conservation officers oversee listed buildings in their jurisdictions. If possible, we will engage with these officers early in the process to discuss plans, gather feedback, and incorporate their recommendations. Depending on the project, this might extend to liaison with Historic England – a public body and a statutory consultee in the planning system.
  • Understanding Local Conservation Area Appraisals: These documents outline the key characteristics and priorities for each conservation area. We will always ensure that the proposed works align with these guidelines.


2. Building Regulations Compliance:


Heritage buildings are exempt from modern standards, such as insulation requirements, though compliance with building regulations is still necessary. Architects play a crucial role in:


  • Balancing Conservation and Compliance: Retrofitting a heritage building for modern use can be challenging, especially when introducing fire safety systems, insulation or accessibility features. We enjoy this creative process and look to provide solutions which meet building regulations without compromising historical integrity.
  • Working with Specialists: we will liaise with several external consultants to ensure the project is successful. Key consultants are:


Structural Engineers (SE) – in all instances, we will seek advice from an SE to determine how best to support the building.


Planning Consultant – if a project is complex then we may seek detailed advice from a planning consultant to ensure that a project is fully compliant in advance of a planning application.


Heritage Consultant – as above, if a project is complex then we may seek detailed advice from a heritage consultant to ensure that the building(s) is preserved in a way that ensures its longevity.


Sustainability Consultants – in many instances, we will seek advice and assessment from a Sustainability Consultant. Each project is unique and so we need to understand which materials are best placed to enhance building performance without compromising the structure.


3. Advising on Appropriate Interventions:


Retrofitting heritage buildings is a critical strategy for achieving the Labour government’s carbon reduction goals. These goals aim to create a net-zero carbon economy by 2050, with the built environment playing a significant role due to its substantial contribution to national emissions – approximately 40% of the UK’s carbon emissions.


Retrofitting involves upgrading existing buildings to improve their energy efficiency and reduce carbon emissions. For heritage buildings, this process is more challenging due to unique construction methods. At Artichoke, we understand these challenges and can advise our clients on appropriate methods for integrating energy-efficient measures such as renewable energy sources. We can also help develop strategies to upgrade building performance without impacting the buildings heritage or longevity such as internal insulation systems that maintain the building’s natural breathability.


Case Studies: See some of the successful heritage projects below which have delighted our clients and have been incredibly rewarding to be a part of:

Church Farm, Surrey – Contemporary Residential Extension to Grade II Listed Building

A 17th century house which was originally part of Lord Lucan’s estate. It has a modern kitchen, dining and family space with a perfect balance of harmony and contrast providing a beautiful bright space to the delight of our clients. 

The Weir Cottage, Maidenhead – Refurbishment and Extension within Conservation Area

An old coach house, originally around 1/3rd of the size of what it was when we were involved. Unfortunately, it had previously been extended without much thought, so Artichoke had to be very creative to produce the bright open spaces the client needed whilst respecting the character and fabric of the house. Again, delighted clients and wonderful outcome. 

Castle Peep, Windsor – Internal Refurbishment within Conservation Area

Very much like Weir Cottage, but in this case, there were no extensions and all the magic happened within the existing house. Even so, a truly dramatic and incredible transformation! 

Manor Farm, Laleham – Refurbishment of Grade II Listed Buildings within Conservation Area

A charming heritage farmstead in the works. Artichoke is proposing the restoration of the house and barns, sensitively designed modern additions and a set of commercial units that blend into the context to ensure the longevity of the site.


Preserving England’s heritage buildings while adapting them for a sustainable future is a challenge that requires vision, expertise, and collaboration. Artichoke is equipped to guide clients through this process by ensuring compliance whilst achieving great design and functionality.


By embracing innovative solutions, Artichoke can help clients transform heritage buildings into energy-efficient spaces, demonstrating that conservation and sustainability are not mutually exclusive. For any heritage building owner, engaging a skilled architect is an essential step toward achieving these objectives.



We have a high-level service called ‘Conservation Kickstarter’ which might help you to get started if you’re not sure how or where to start. Please do get in touch if you’d like to chat more! We’d love to hear from you.

Manor Farm Regeneration: Planning Application Finally Submitted

By Chris Dale • December 1, 2025
This marks a huge milestone in what has been one of the most exciting, challenging, and rewarding projects our practice has ever worked on. An Opportunity and a Privilege When we were first approached by Step Property almost five years ago, it was immediately clear that Manor Farm was a once-in-a-career project — a historic farmstead with five Grade II listed buildings, a sensitive Conservation Area setting, Green Belt & flood plain constraints, a struggling commercial yard and collapsing historic buildings that all urgently needed a coherent long-term vision and a strategy to achieve that. To be entrusted with leading the design and coordination of such a significant site has been a genuine privilege, one which we have not taken lightly.

Why Our Kickstarter Package Could Be The Smartest Investment You Make

By Chris Dale • November 3, 2025
Across the UK, many homeowners and small developers are pausing their plans. Construction costs are at record highs, planning requirements have become more complex, and professional fees are also increasing, so even a seemingly simple home extension or redevelopment is much more of a risk. Possibly the greatest concern we hear is – “What if we spend thousands of pounds only to find out it’s not even possible?” That’s exactly why we created the Kickstarter Package — our fixed-fee feasibility study that helps you to make informed decisions at a nominal cost in comparison to house purchases and developments. What is the Kickstarter Package? The Kickstarter Package is a design-led feasibility consultation that explores the planning, budget and design potential of your property. For a modest, fixed fee (from £750 excl. VAT), our experienced architects help you understand whether your ideas are likely to be achievable, affordable, and aligned with current planning policy — saving time, stress and money later on. You’ll receive clear answers to the key questions every homeowner faces: Is planning permission likely to be granted? What might the project cost? How long could it take? What could it look like? What’s Included — and Why It Matters Each element of the Kickstarter Package offers exceptional value compared with typical early-stage architectural or consultant fees. 1. Initial Consultation and Site Visit We start with a detailed discussion about your goals & requirements — from extending your home to redeveloping a site or purchasing a property. Then we visit the site to review opportunities and constraints in person. This early visit often uncovers crucial planning, drainage or design issues before you spend thousands on detailed drawings.

Is It Still Worth Extending Your Home?

By Chris Dale • September 30, 2025
For many families, extending or renovating their home has long been the dream solution — more space, a better layout, and a home that works for modern life. But in today’s climate, with projects in the £100,000–£300,000 range, things feel a lot more challenging. So what’s changed, why is it harder, and how can you still make your project work? The Main Challenges • Planning is getting pricier – application fees are higher, and councils are demanding more specialist reports (heritage, ecology, flood risk, transport, sustainability). • Build costs keep rising – materials and labour are much more expensive than even a few years ago. • Tougher regulations – stricter building rules on energy efficiency, fire safety and accessibility add extra costs. • Financing is harder – borrowing is still more expensive than it was pre-2022. • Trades are stretched – good builders and subcontractors are in high demand, pushing prices and timescales up. • Delays and uncertainty – planning decisions are taking longer, especially in sensitive areas like the Green Belt, Conservation Areas or with listed buildings. • Budgets are squeezed – with the cost of living rising, homeowners are weighing up whether extending or simply moving makes more sense.

A Guest Blog with Mark Taylor Design

By Chris Dale • September 3, 2025
1. Tell us a little about Mark Taylor Design — how did it start, and what defines your approach to bespoke interiors and kitchens? Mark Taylor Design was set up 29 years ago. I was trained in both furniture production and management and was also a keen designer. I had completed an MBA and wanted to apply all these skills to build a business, doing something I loved. I have always believed that you can design beautiful furniture and rooms without imposing a specific ‘look’. The company has built its reputation on listening to the ideas and desires of clients. We then help to steer their vision through space design, interior expertise and craft skills. What people have at the end of their design and build journey is their vision made beautiful – rather than ours. 2. What makes a truly successful kitchen or interior design in your view — and how do you balance aesthetics with day-to-day functionality? There is nothing quite like the beauty of bespoke. Having something created to your specifications is arguably the epitome of modern luxury. Bespoke is most commonly used to refer to hand-made suits and shoes. Now the concept has become much more sought after within the world of interiors and design – with bespoke kitchens leading the way. And it’s not too hard to understand why. Bespoke means not having to compromise - getting exactly what you want and how you want it. It also allows you to unleash your imagination and embrace your creativity. The end result is a room that is crafted, in every way, to embrace your lifestyle and personal taste. Importantly, by incorporating some elements of bespoke furniture into a custom made kitchen it’s possible to give people a unique room without breaking the bank. This could be a bespoke island or dresser for instance. By combining bespoke and custom made you can optimise the space so that the end result flows smoothly and looks amazing too. 3. How do you typically collaborate with architects on a project? What makes those relationships work well? Collaboration early on always helps. We ask architects not only about style and budget but also about the client’s favoured ways of working. Ideally, we like to meet the clients with the architect from the outset. Where this isn’t possible, we at least aim for a walk round the space or a chat through all the plans – even for the areas we might not be designing for, as this gives us a more comprehensive understanding of the clients’ vision.

The Architecture of Relaxation: Designing Spaces That Feel Like a Holiday

By Chris Dale • August 19, 2025
It’s summer holiday season — and as clients return from coastal cottages, mountain cabins, or sun-drenched villas, one theme keeps coming up: “How can I bring this feeling home?” That sense of ease, simplicity, and quiet joy isn’t just about being away—it’s about how those spaces are designed. At Artichoke: Architectural Consultancy, we help clients capture that same serenity in their everyday environments, with thoughtful design that’s tailored to how they live. Restful spaces aren’t created by chance. They’re the result of purposeful decisions—about layout, light, flow, and function. And often, it’s the small, well-considered changes that make the biggest difference. With decades of experience navigating UK planning, building regulations, and complex design briefs, we know how to deliver spaces that feel effortless, yet are deeply intentional. A calming home doesn’t need to be minimalist or expensive—it needs to be clear. That might mean reconfiguring a hallway to reduce visual clutter, introducing built-in storage to keep surfaces free, or designing a garden connection that invites you to step outside. These aren’t grand gestures—they’re subtle shifts that support a more peaceful way of living. Previously, on projects such as Halfacre (pictured below) we have found that storage, in particular, plays a quiet but very powerful role. When clutter is tucked away with care, rooms feel lighter, more spacious, and more welcoming. We design storage that’s integrated, intuitive, and tailored to your lifestyle — so your home supports simplicity without sacrificing function.

Should we save or borrow for our extension?

By Chris Dale • July 16, 2025
Like many, I am generally a saver rather than a borrower by default. A client recently told us that they planned to delay their project, so that they could save the additional money they needed to be able to do the extension that they really wanted, rather than compromising. Wisely they had asked us to carry out a costing exercise, so they knew this and could assess the situation and plan for it. In that instance they had £75,000 and needed save roughly another £25,000 to do what they wanted to do, which they thought they might be able to do over the course of 3-4 years. Their question was actually when they should resume the process, which we answered and I suggested that they give themselves a year to be comfortable to get planning, building regulations and find themselves a builder (it’s always better to allow more time than less!). However, it occurred to me that whilst saving rather than borrowing (in my mind at least) is an admirable and patient approach, it made me wonder what other factors should be considered.