Lapider were appointed to design and project manage the refurbishment and alterations to Upper House a Grade 2* Listed building in Crickhowell.

Upper House had originally been the main farm in Crickhowell. However, the surrounding buildings had been incorporated into the Tele Village which was built in the 1990’s. The client brief was to convert the property back into a family dwelling but retain as many of the original features as possible. Lapider surveyed the building, produced designs, produced listed building design and method statements and worked closely with the Brecon Beacons conservation officer. The works were carried out by Royston Davies Conservation Builders of Hereford.

Internally, the roof was supported on new “green oak” trusses and conservation roof lights by the Conservation Roof Light Company, were set into the slate covering to minimise impact. The existing timber floor carriers were strengthened by steel plates that were cut and fixed into the centre of the carrier from above. The the ends are supported where they are built into the walls.

The door surround was one of the few internal features that remained and was repositioned in the kitchen. The door frame was raised so our 6’6” client could enter the kitchen without injury! Where the floor carrier was past repair, a new carry was inserted beside the original. The existing roof trusses were strengthened and retained and the roof was insulated with sheep’s wool and lime board from Ty Mawr.

The timber carriers had decayed where they are built into the external walls. New timber ‘slippers’ were fixed under the carriers, supported on metal ‘L’ brackets resin bolted into the wall. The brackets were covered when the walls were lined. The span between the timber carriers had caused the carries to deflect. Steel ‘L’ beams were inserted below the carries to provide interim support and steel rods in the timber stud walls, catch the carriers below. The bottom cord of the roof truss had deflected due to overloading. It was common to store hay in the loft over winter which is likely to have overloaded the truss. New steel sections are connected above and bolted to the deflected truss. New timber framed, ledged and braced oak door with timber lever latch.

Traditional repairs to existing slate and stone flag roof and lead roll being formed at the join with the two roof coverings. Traditional detail at the top of the trusses. Timber branches would have been wound between the staffs and then covered with a daub. Traditional materials were used and crush glass insulation has been laid before lime-crete floors were poured on top.