Before & After

Outside

These pictures are taken more than  fifty years apart. The modern building includes windows on the second floor in place of grain bunkers which sectioned the storage floor. The rather charming and disheveled facade has been transformed over the last three years; slates, gutters and windows have been replaced. The damaged brickwork has been sensitively restored. Windows emulate the former removable panels in size and shape but are made of Accoya™ in the style of Yorkshire sliding sash. This design of window was common in past Bedfordshire and particularly liked by our conservation officer. Accoya™ is a sustainable material derived from radiata pine, Accoya is guaranteed by Trada™ for 75 years above water and 25 years init.

Gallery

The  'gallery' was a walkway running the length of the roof space between grain bunkers either side; Grain drained through openings in the bunker floor as required. The gallery floor timbers have been repaired many times and we’ve preserved most of them. The former bunkers have been combined to form accommodation below with windows as necessary. Pitched ceilings have been added to some rooms and oak flooring forms the ceilings of others. Together these modifications have transformed the roof space into a delightful studio.
Additionally substantial levels of insulation have been incorporated into the roof structure above and below the original sarking boards. New pine linings having a look, feel and finish likened to lime-washed sawn timber. The original sack hoist and refurbished trap-doors are in place.

The lucum also has a sack trap. This one has toughened glass, thus sealing the building whilst allowing us to preserve the original sack trap and leather hinges.