St Michael’s Convent, Gerrards Cross
CLIENT The Trustees of the Church Extension Association
DATES Completed 2019
The Community of the Sisters of the Church, formerly based in Ham, embarked on a project to relocate their home to Gerrards Cross. The site for their new convent is within a Conservation Area and an Area of Special Character. The existing buildings on the site include an example of an Arts and Crafts period property, currently known as ‘Howard House’, which has been significantly extended for use as a care home over the last 50 years. The evolution of the design proposals, including the refurbishment of the existing buildings and creation of a new Chapel, have been driven by an informed, methodical and emotive approach in response to sensitive and particularly site conditions.
"We can highly recommend Clive Chapman Architects. Their presentation at interview far outshone the national firms, and the work they have done with us in formulating the brief and in the early stages of the design have reflected the same level of quality: excellent listening skills, sensitivity to our needs as a client, reliability (keeping to agreed schedules), flexibility in response to our changing circumstances. Sustainability is one of our highest priorities and it was significant to us that one of the members of the team is a specialist in this field, so we are confident that this ethos will be woven through the whole of the design. Overall, we have the impression that Clive and his associates are 'on our side', working with us, and supporting us as we discern more fully the needs of the project. Their sensitivity to the group 'process' involved in a large number of people coming to a decision is quite exceptional. It is a pleasure to work with Clive and his colleagues, and we are confident they will do all they can to help us towards a successful outcome for the project."
- The Trustees of the Church Extension Association, St Michael's Convent, Ham.
