Conservation
Mill is RIAS Advanced Conservation Accredited and we offer a diverse range of Architectural Conservation Services:
- Townhouse Developments
- Estate Properties
- Civic and Grant Funded Projects
- Places of Worship
- Private Residential & Commercial
- Shared Repair Services for Communal Ownership
- Preventative Maintenance Packages Including Quinquennial inspections and Maintenance Reports
Our clients include charitable bodies such as The Landmark Trust and National Trust of Scotland. Community Clients including Church bodies and community centres. Civic organisations such as The Queens Hall, and Private clients who own Country Estates, In town residential properties or Hotels. We work with individual Clients and Clients who form part of a multi ownership property.
We work alongside a range of diverse Conservation bodies including Historic Environment Scotland, Scottish Government and Grant bodies such as Edinburgh World Heritage, Glasgow City Heritage Trust, Heritage Lottery Fund, and other Funding groups.
Experience & Knowledge:
The scope of Conservation and Heritage work we do is wide and varied. This can range from a small-scale project to large renovation and extension. We can create bespoke designs that work within your existing shell or produce sensitive additional space, as required. We believe each project no matter the size is equally important. All designs and interventions are focused on what is appropriate to the building. The condition of the existing building is our first focus. Its social, historical, and aesthetic significance is explored, and appropriate solutions created to suit the aspirations of the Client.
RIAS Advanced Conservation Accreditation enables us to undertake heritage projects, secure grant funding and meet the requirements of national conservation bodies. This is an additional qualification and specialism that we offer to clients who require a high level of expertise in this field.
Townhouse Developments:
We are able to offer a service whereby we can provide guidance and advice at the initial stages of a property purchase. This is particularly useful when considering purchasing a property of significant heritage status such as Listed properties, where alterations and the scope of renovations may feel more limited.
Once purchased or if already an owner of a property of this nature we are able to use our experience to enable upgrade and alterations to the Clients aspirations. We liaise with Planning, Listed Building department in advance of any applications to ensure that proposals are duly considered. Our Conservation experience ensures new proposals and designs take into account the significance of the property whilst meeting modern day requirements.
Estate Properties:
The maintenance involved in an Estate, incorporating multiple buildings, outbuildings and associated features, such as garden walls, can seem like an overwhelming task. We are able to carry out an overall Inspection of your properties; splitting these items into areas of required repair and ongoing maintenance. We offer assistance with the fabric repair of your buildings, internal upgrade and alterations, extensions or new-build elements. We have a wealth of experience dealing with Listed Buildings and the associated Statutory Approvals required.
Civic and Grant Funded Projects
Our RIAS Advanced Conservation Accredited Architect can assist our Clients to achieve Grant Funding. We currently have projects on site which are receiving Heritage Lottery Funding, Edinburgh World Heritage Grants and local THi/CARS funding. We can help apply for grants, prepare the tender packages required and oversee the works on site.
Our Clients comprise community groups, charities and social clubs. Our most recent work, at the Queen’s Hall, Edinburgh, has involved external fabric repairs followed by internal alterations to provide a more lively and interactive space. Both of these projects were made possible with grant funding provided by the Scottish Government and Historic Environment Scotland.
Places of Worship:
There is much change happening within our Churches today. Some are underused or have not been maintained. We have spent over 2 decades working with Church Presbyteries and Dioceses in a variety of ways:
- We prepare Quinquennial Inspections.
- We assist with funding applications for fabric repairs of Church properties.
- We have altered and extended Church properties to enhance and modernise their facilities, and offer vital services to communities.
- We prepare feasibility reports to assess existing fabric, facilities and options for consolidating or altering buildings.
Private Residential & Commercial:
Whether you own a residential or commercial property, we can assist with their adaptation to suit your current requirements. We create bespoke designs that work within your existing shell or extend out if required. All designs and interventions are focused on what is appropriate to the building; its social, historical and aesthetic significances are investigated and appropriate solutions created.
Shared Repair Services for Communal Ownership:
MILL can assist in facilitating the maintenance of tenement blocks and help arrange repairs. Coordinating fabric repairs in buildings of multiple ownership can be a difficult and challenging task. We can assist with forming Stair Group associations, starting up Reserve Funds and preparing conditional inspections.
The law may be changing soon. There is a bill being considered by the Scottish Government to enforce:
- Creation of Reserve Funds (a pension pot for the building)
- The formation of Owners Associations
- Quinquennial Inspections (5 yearly conditional reports)
It is vital, therefore, if you own a property in a tenement, that you start to look at your building as a whole, find out its condition and talk to your neighbours with a view to creating a community within your block. We will guide you through this to ease the repair and report-writing process.
Preventative Maintenance Packages including Quinquennial inspections and Maintenance reports:
It can be difficult to understand and determine the condition of your property. We can prepare a Condition Report, which highlights the current state of the building and records any defects. A ‘traffic light’ system prioritises the works and enables them to be phased if required. Our reports can be used, along with a valuation, when purchasing a traditional property by highlighting:
- The condition of its fabric
- Realistic costs for repair and maintenance
We work alongside a range of diverse Conservation entities, including Historic Environment Scotland, Scottish Government and grant awarding bodies such as Edinburgh World Heritage, Glasgow City Heritage Trust and Heritage Lottery Fund.
Grant Funded Projects
Mill is RIAS Advanced Conservation Accredited, which enables our Clients to obtain Grant Funding. We currently have projects on site, which are receiving Scottish Government Funding, Heritage Lottery Funding, Edinburgh World Heritage Grants and local THi/CARS funding. We can assist our Clients to apply for grants, preparing tender packages and overseeing the works on site.
Get advice about your project
In our experience at this stage you will be looking for further information before making a decision to go ahead with your project and who you’ll hire. You can book a 15-minute call online with me and we can have a chat about your project.
We can provide guidance on:
- A suitable budget for your project
- Timescales
- Local authority applications your project will requires