The roof structure was designed to represent the form of a tent or sanctuary positioned on the pilgrimage route between Bristol and Wells. Designed by James Leask in 1967 the building remains largely untouched, which is a testament to the use of good quality materials and design for the time.
However, since being built the concrete roof of the church had been weathered using a metalised felt that had never really done the job in terms of its waterproofing capabilities or its aesthetic appearance. Furthermore, the felt was applied directly to the concrete structure thus providing zero insulative qualities. As a result, the roof had been leaking in many places for several years, which in turn was affecting the internal fabric of the building. In the Spring of 2021 Corbel were appointed to re-cover the entire roof structure with a vented and insulated aluminium covering.
Due to the shape of the roof structure this was a challenging project both in terms of application and access. The process consisted of counter battening and insulation, followed by a layer of ply, this process was repeated twice to provide the build-up ready to take the aluminium sheet covering. To achieve a visually pleasing result the aluminium panels had to be set out to exact dimensions to avoid any loss of symmetry or tapering of panels towards to the top of each slope. Great skill and care were taken to achieve this, the results of which are clear to see in the finished article.
Alongside the roofing there was a major overhaul and replacement of the many outdated double-glazed units that make up the clerestory, narthex, and soffit, to help improve the building’s performance in terms of heat loss and appearance.
Internally, a new lighting and heating scheme was installed to really elevate the huge space and to efficiently heat it to make it comfortable for the large congregation that regularly worships at the building.
Throughout the construction and tender process, using our careful and considered approach to budget management we managed to save sufficient funds within the overall contract sum to re-cover and refurbish the hall and to re-cover the adjoining Presbytery building. This is a working example of how a budget, if considered, can be used to the greatest effect. Historic structures always have other needs that can often be considered out of reach financially, however with the right team and right approach this can often be reversed, and far more can be achieved than was at first envisaged.
Client: The Roman Catholic Diocese of Clifton
Architect: Jonah Jay Architects
Project Duration: 12 months
Contract Value: £1,200,000
