Listed manor house gives its staff a lighter life

Edited by the Buildingtalk editorial team Aug 2, 2006

Youlston Park has chosen Tuscan Foundry Products' newly launched British made 'Lumen' conservation rooflight for its Grade II listed stable conversion to create staff quarters.

Youlston Park, a 15th century Grade I listed manor house located in North Devon, has chosen Tuscan Foundry Products' newly launched British made 'Lumen' conservation rooflight for its Grade II listed stable conversion to create staff quarters.

The conversion of this 18th century stable block overseen by English Heritage uses ten bespoke long and narrow 'Lumen' rooflights to allow ample light into three maisonettes.

Designed to sit flush, the 'Lumen' has fine lines of steel to sympathise with original architecture without being obtrusive and replicates a traditional Victorian design.

This low profile rooflight also offers one of the highest specifications of glazing available for conservation roofights and incorporates Pilkington Activ, the world's first self-cleaning glass Martin Sturley from Jonathan Rhind Architects explains: 'It was important that the external appearance of the conversion was dealt with sensitively to protect the historic architectural character of the Stable block and its setting.

It was established early on in the design process that it was necessary to increase daylight into the living spaces along the outer roof slopes whilst preventing rooflights over-looking the manor house and adjacent grounds.

Preliminary discussions with English Heritage and the Local Authority Conservation Officer resulted in an agreed narrow and long rooflight design positioned high up the roof slope to achieve lighting requirements whilst not being conventionally domestic in appearance.

Tuscan Foundry Products were able to produce the special size units divided by vertical glazing bars and positioned flush with the roof finish.

Minimal gaps between the slate edge and top and back gutters resulted in unobtrusive glazed units which do not interrupt the line of the slate roof pitch'.

We are pleased with the appearance of the Lumen rooflights and have recently specified them for other projects.

The three maisonettes will provide accommodation for the housekeepers and trained staff running Youlston Park Manor which offers traditional luxury breaks.

The £200,000 restoration project was completed in July 06.