The Shippon
| Architect | Sean Pimble |
|---|---|
| Awards | Runner-up in the RIBA West Midlands Conservation Awards in 2016. |
This project, which we took on in 2015, was novel, interesting, and challenging.
The owner is a renowned architectural historian who worked jointly with RIBA architect Sean Pemble, formerly of Arrol & Snell, to develop a truly unique conversion of The Shipponn, an 18th-century redundant dairy spanning approximately 4,000 square feet.
The vision was to create a building for entertainment and leisure, designed around a large central hall and incorporating kitchens, bathrooms, and three uniquely designed guest apartments.
The project was a huge success and was awarded runner-up in the RIBA West Midlands Conservation Awards in 2016.
Working closely with both the architect and the client, we completed the project in nine months, successfully combining traditional building conservation methods with practical modern construction techniques to create a building of considerable excellence.
Scope of Works
This project involved extensive conservation work, including a new insulated floor slab, full masonry repairs, and restoration of original stable doors. Where needed, new doors and hardwood windows were crafted to match existing features. Internally, we repointed brickwork, created new openings, and inserted first-floor structures between original trusses. New stud walls were added to form rooms, finished with oak flooring and traditional wainscot panelling that discreetly conceals insulation and radiators. The property was completed with two kitchens, four bathrooms, entertainment WCs, and a large entertainment space.
“In 2016 Phillips and Curry undertook the work to convert the disused mid-1860s built Shippon at Whitegates Farm, Nr Whitchurch, Shropshire. Having worked in the field of building conservation for thirty years I appreciate that all building contracts come with their moments ... but this one went well and, as clients, we were extremely happy with the quality of Phillips and Curry’s workmanship, impressed with their preparedness to ‘think on their feet’ and grateful for the patience they showed in their dealings with the most particular of clients. We were delighted with the finished building.
This project of conversion, which was guided by the findings of archival research and fabric analysis, featured some informed works of restoration. It was shortlisted for the RICS Building Conservation Awards (West Midlands 2017) . If you’re interested, an account of the history of this Shippon was published in the Transactions of the Ancient Monuments Society in 2017. ”
