Shaun set to go the extra mile for charity

Our very own Shaun Soanes is preparing to saddle up for a grueling 100-mile charity ride.

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election result

What does the election result mean for architecture?

Currently, we’re in the middle of post-election carnage. But as Theresa May attempts to get her government plan in order, Shaun Soanes looks into what the election result could mean for creative industries.

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electric palace

Joining the campaign to save the electric palace

We have joined a newspaper campaign to save The Electric Palace in Harwich, a building in desperate need of restoration and renovation. Shaun Soanes, who is creating designs for the refurbishment, urges people to get behind a fundraising drive to support the next stage of the project.

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Managing historic parish churches

England is known for having outstanding heritage, and part of this is its historical parish churches. Historic England is working towards understanding the particular challenges that people have in caring for this type of worshipping place in our society today.

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The Ultimate Recycling Project

Preserving a historic building is the ultimate recycling project. It’s about upgrading and developing an existing structure instead of constructing a new one – protecting precious resources.

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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.

Ipswich Theatre project

The Avenue Theatre Opening – Gippeswyk Hall in Ipswich

Following four years of planning, designing, building and restoring, NJ Architects are delighted to announce the opening of The Avenue Theatre; a 16th century Tudor building which is Grade II listed and located in Gippeswyk Hall’s grounds in Ipswich, Suffolk. Working alongside Charles Curry-Hyde LLP, the building is now used by the not-for-profit, award winning Red Rose Chain Theatre Company. Read more