Scrooby Chapel

Pearce Bottomley Architects were appointed for the conversion and extension for Scrooby Methodist Chapel, in north Nottinghamshire following some initial design work by another architect.

The sympathetic conversion and extension of this disused village Methodist chapel provided accommodation to enable an efficient modern lifestyle for its occupants whilst preserving the character of the original building. Listed building consent and planning permission were a difficult negotiation, with the local authority resisting the loss of the building's community use, despite resounding support for the conversion from the villagers. As specialists in conservation architecture, we obtained the local authority consents through sensitive and high quality design imperatives, and prepared working drawings, liaising with the client who project managed the works onsite.

The extent of the site to the sides and rear of the original building had been filled with lean-to extensions. This project rebuilt these later additions and restored the main double height space of the chapel to provide a one-bedroom dwelling.

With no garden as such, the design of the first floor balcony and the forecourt became crucial to the success of the scheme. The new building works were constructed sympathetically in a mix of new and traditional materials. Care was taken to differentiate between the original fabric of the building and the new interventions. The gallery insertion to the main space is expressed as an autonomous construction allowing the volume of the chapel to be read. The idiosyncrasies of the plot inspired the form of the extensions to the sides and rear of the building. Building to the boundaries of the plot inspired the use of rooflights whose complex geometries imbued them with a sculptural quality.

The clients’ approach to procurement, and their relaxed attitude to the programme made the project a successful collaboration of local craftspeople and trades.