BEAUMONT RIDING SCHOOL

We were engaged by our Client to investigate and advise upon the structural condition of the former army riding school building.

The building had been left empty for a number of years and had fallen into a state of disrepair. Some urgent temporary repairs had been carried out in the past under the guidance of English Heritage.

Apart form the usual timber connection defects, we expressed concern about the overall stability of the lantern. Unfortunately before any temporary strengthening could be incorporated the lantern collapsed during a severe storm.

Our scheme was produced to re-build the lantern with a new high level gallery access. The lantern had to be built off an undulating new timber plate between trusses, incorporating stainless steel bracing cables. Timber repairs were carried out to replicate the earlier repair details using steel plates (and new timber as required).

A new internal mezzanine office area has been constructed in a form that was deliberately schemed as a modern structure within an old building.

Architects: D & J Arthur Architects, Hartley Wintney