39-41 Westgate Street, Gloucester

Conservation fabric repairs and conversion of the upper floors to residential use

These buildings form part of a group of mediaeval timber framed buildings within Westgate Street referred to as ‘The Sword Cluster’. 39 and 41 are two visibly different properties that, it is believed, were constructed as one in the C16th. No. 41 was in a very distressed condition with fractures to the mediaeval timber frame and was structurally unsound. No. 39 runs alongside the mediaeval Bull Lane and was refronted and heightened in the early C19th. Both buildings were derelict and were conserved due to funding that was available from the Cathedral Quarter High Street Heritage Action Zone.

The building needed careful consideration in terms of the service upgrades due to the constraints of the existing timber frame. Upgrades to the fabric to meet fire and acoustic regulations was complex between the properties as the mediaeval timber construction was continuous between No. 39 - No. 43 Westgate Street.

The proposal had little visual impact on the exterior of No. 39 as the majority of window and door openings were retained. Some windows were replaced, conservation roof lights and access hatches were added. Internally 2no. residential units were proposed, the preferred option was selected after consultation with the conservation officer and Historic England as it was considered to have a minimal loss of original fabric. Traditional methods were selected to preserve the exterior aesthetic. The roofs were re-slated and insulated with TLX Gold in order to minimise the roof build up.