The Charterhouse – Various Projects

The Brief

The Charterhouse is a former Carthusian monastery first established in 1371, which today is a Grade I Listed almshouse providing accommodation for over 40 Brothers, as well as a functioning visitor attraction. We have successfully undertaken a number of projects over many years to ‘reveal’ and make the Charterhouse more accessible to the public and guests, all of which have required a sensitive and considered approach to conservation and repair.

The projects undertaken include works to the 14th century Norfolk Cloisters, the creation of a new reception and retail space, a new Learning Room and Museum Room and landscaping of both the Chapel Gardens and Charterhouse Square. We also worked on the ‘beautification and refreshment’ of the Grade I Listed Great Chamber, the only surviving example of its kind from Tudor London, where restoration work included new oak flooring, silk wall linings and decorative gilding.

Client

The Charterhouse

Location

London EC1

Architect

Eric Parry, Richard Griffiths Architects

Size

10,000 ft²

Sector

  • Heritage
  • Culture

Services

  • Project Management
  • Cost Consultancy

The Challenge

Our original appointment was to provide cost advice on the major construction project to “reveal” The Charterhouse to the public. We also provided services on both the HLF Stage 1 and Stage 2 applications to the client. Following confirmation of a successful Stage 2 application we were retained as the cost consultant and the role was then expanded to include assistance with the HLF grant draw down process and the overall project budget including fees, specialist services and the interpretation works.

We were subsequently appointed, through a competitive process, to provide Project Management services for the further upgrade, restoration and reinterpretation works to the building and gardens. On top of the challenges associated with preserving such an historic jewel, a major challenge was that the building is also home to the elderly Brothers, so all works and activity had to be planned sensitively around their needs.

 

The Outcome

The project has more than achieved its brief to open up the building to the public, creating vital revenue sources to secure the long term future of this charitable institution. The Great Chamber is now used as a gallery displaying works of art significant to the history of the Charterhouse, an events and functions room and it also provides part of the visitor experience for tours of the Charterhouse.

Our support provided to the Client in helping them navigate the many complexities involved in the preservation, restoration, funding and stakeholder management was very much appreciated and Jackson Coles’ name was added to the commemorative plaque marking the completion of the works which is now displayed in the museum foyer.

The project received a commendation in the Civic Trust Awards.

Monastery founded
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Brothers establish almshouse
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Historic objects in the collection
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Other Projects We’ve Completed Include

BAFTA

The Cathedral & Abbey of St Alban

Southbank Centre Festival Wing