Wingfield Barns is a listed building owned by Mid Suffolk District Council. The facility lies in the Waveney Valley, just inside the Suffolk border with Norfolk. It is a unique venue, centred around a beautifully restored timber framed barn and surrounded by studios and galleries. It is often used for celebrations, conferences, education, art exhibitions, music and drama performances. Over the past couple of years it had been noted that there was a degree of movement in the roof of Wingfield Barns. The movement seemed to have accelerated following the inclement weather of the previous winter. In consultation with the client and following the production of a Condition Report that we commissioned, we were instructed to arrange a structural survey to ascertain the integrity of the roof  and to identify a way forward in stabilising the building and its front elevation wall which was beginning to bow under the stressed roof trusses. A scaffold system was erected to provide safe access and protection to the building during the phased dismantling of the roof. The first stage involved stripping the roof tiles and inspecting the trusses and main structure. In conjunction with the consultant and English Heritage, a new structural support package was devised and additional trusses and tie beams incorporated to support the existing timbers of the building. Breathable felt and sheep wool insulation was sympathetically installed to the roof prior to the existing tiles being re-laid. A very challenging and interesting project, which gave us an opportunity to learn how buildings were constructed 400 years ago and to discover the workmanship involved.

Role:

Maintenance and D&B Principal Contractor

Client:

MSBDC

Value:

Confidential

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