It was in early 2020 that Corbel were enlisted to undertake works to transform the former servants quarters and kitchen areas of the house that were otherwise not performing to their full potential as a visitor space.

The intention was to create interactive museum space that better told the history of the entire site from its origins in the 17th century. A very light approach was adopted with careful consideration made to each and every repair whether that was to exposed plaster / timber or structural beams the same process of minimal intervention was adopted. The many rooms that made up this section of the house were unpicked to allow new M&E systems to be installed for the museum, this ranges from heating and lighting schemes to communications and visual technology.

Following this the spaces were reassembled and repaired as necessary using lime plasters, scarved timbers and occasionally new structural members where spaces had been opened back up as they would have been. Second fix electrical and mechanical systems followed alongside a new scheme of decorations throughout, incorporating limewashes and earth borne paints.

The space is now open to the public as a new educational facility that further enhances what was already a thriving visitor attraction for the National Trust. It was a pleasure for us to work on such a magnificent building and hopefully make a difference to its future and the experience of its users.

Project Duration: 7 months on site with a 12 month hiatus due to the Covid pandemic

Architect: Nick Cox Architects

Client: Dyrham Park, National Trust

Contract Value: £410,000