Zion's Hill

Engineering Project Overview

Zion’s Hill - a contemporary extension and the reordering of an original, historic house. SOLID undertook the Civil, Structural and Stone Façade Engineering for the project.

Originally built as two cottages in the 1700s, Zion’s Hill had been converted into a single home and then extended in the late 1950s. During the 1980s a conservatory was then added. The modern additions and alterations were poorly constructed and left the internal layout disjointed and unsuitable for modern family life.

All images by Fisher Studios

Architectural Design

Adrian James Architects were approached and asked to design a more appropriate family home. With much of the existing not proving viable, it may have been tempting to demolish the whole property and start from fresh. However, Adrian James opted for the sustainable route, saving the original 18th century sections, upgrading, and improving them, demolishing the unusable extension and conservatory and adding a modern two-storey extension to provide the additional space required.

Whilst the extension is contemporary in style, it still hints at the original building’s heritage with traditional Cotswold stone used as the primary material. The walls are constructed from a combination of rubble and cut ashlar stone. The rubble stone stands proud from the mortar to add shadows and texture beside the smooth, faceted ashlar.

Structural Challenges

The project threw up a mixture of challenges for the SOLID team, the most notable being the use of oversized, deeply cut asymmetrical splayed stone window reveals. The stone edges, in some instances, measuring as narrow as 30mm. Director Sean called on his in-depth experience in designing stone façades to overcome the challenge, working closely with APS Masonry. Care was taken to design structural supports and interface details which allowed very slender lines in elevation.

It was a fantastic project to work on alongside Adrian James Architects, WIG Engineering, WG Carter and APS Masonry and we are thrilled to be able to highlight these stunning images by Fisher Studios as the project completes.

Thinking of your own residential development? Why not contact the SOLID team to discuss your ideas.