An 800-year-old church, devastated by fire, is reimagined with modern timber structure and sensitivity, blending heritage preservation with contemporary renewal.
An 800-year-old church, devastated by fire, is reimagined with modern timber structure and sensitivity, blending heritage preservation with contemporary renewal.
After a catastrophic fire in 2014 destroyed the roof and timber bell tower, this 800-year-old parish church faced an uncertain future. The project’s vision was not just to rebuild, but to create a more open, adaptable space with a modern extension supporting worship, gatherings, and local events. The challenge lay in balancing restoration with renewal—protecting the church’s medieval identity while introducing a contemporary design language and modern performance.
As structural and civil engineers, AWA were first on site after the fire, assessing and securing the remaining fabric. Retained for the full design and construction stages, we developed a reinforced concrete raft foundation to support new long-spanning glulam rafters, ensuring no additional loads were transferred to fragile historic walls. A new steel bell tower was carefully inserted within surviving timber, preserving original material while providing strength for future bell reinstatement. Discoveries of graves and irregular wall geometry demanded responsive design thinking and collaboration with archaeologists, architects, and contractors.
The reconstructed church reopened as a renewed landmark — uniting medieval craftsmanship with modern engineering. It now serves as a welcoming, flexible community hub, celebrating resilience, heritage, and innovative design working in harmony.
AWA Consulting Engineers is a structural, civil, and marine engineering consultancy established in 1987, with a hard-won but deserved reputation for delivering excellence in our profession.
Our philosophy is simple: we put people first. This has resulted in a high number of repeat clients and an impressive track record of successful award-winning projects. We are proud to be professional, and approachable; we believe this makes us the ideal partner for your project.
AWA has technical teams in our offices located in Romsey, Hampshire and Bath, Somerset. We deliver services to clients typically across the South, South East and South West.
Our team includes both chartered structural engineers and chartered civil engineers committed to continuous professional development ensuring you benefit from up to date industry expertise, whatever your project entails.
To find out more about how AWA Consulting Engineers can help with your project, get in touch today. Email mail@awaengineers.com and one of the team will be in touch. Alternatively, call 01794 524447 to speak to a member of our team.
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