Nicholas Jacob Architects wins award for the restoration of a Grade II* listed country house

We’re incredibly happy to announce that we have won an award for restoring a beautiful Georgian home.

For our work on a Grade II* listed country house, we have been commended by the Georgian Group, a charity for the appreciation and protection of British architecture of the period.

This is our third accolade for the Grade II* listed country house which won a SJCC Outstanding Craftmanship Award in 2014 and the 2013 Award for Building Conservation at the Coastal District Council’s Quality of Place Awards.

Shaun Soanes, NJ Architects Associate who oversaw the project, said: “The house suffered too many years of neglect and some unauthorised alterations had occurred resulting in nine enforcement notices by the local authority.

“It was in a sorry state of repair when it was bought by the current owners and there were reams of red tape to unravel.

“Restoration took a whole two and a half years and involved unpicking modern intrusive repairs and modifying some of the more incongruous alterations.

“To comply with the enforcement notices, rectification works were also carried out.”

The project was commended by The Georgian Group for enhancing and revealing the building’s character.

Mr Jacob said: “The house now benefits from custodians who understand its significance, enjoy it and intend to maintain it. We have been proud to play a part in its protection.”

Property from the Georgian era is carefully proportioned and reminiscent of traditional dolls houses. Architects who built homes in Britain between 1713 and 1830 include Sir John Soane, Henry Holland and James Wyatt.

Other properties in the UK recognised by the Georgian Group Architectural Awards include Belmont, the salmon-coloured Landmark Trust villa in Lyme Regis, Dorset, and Croome Park, the National Trust site in Worcestershire, which boasts a Capability Brown landscape.