Stonewood Builders Limited

Stonewood have worked for the Hadspen Estate on numerous occasions. Several of these projects have taken place at The Newt in Somerset, with the Roman Villa and Museum being the most ambitious commissioned by the Estate to date. The client had a vision of creating a full-size authentic replica of a Roman Villa using traditional crafts, techniques and materials. Hadspen Roman Villa was discovered in 1832; excavations of the site occurred between 1968 and 1970, revealing structural remains along with pottery, coins and part of a mosaic floor. Further excavations in 2015 revealed the villa had been enlarged from the 3rd to the 5th centuries AD. Accompanying the replica is the Roman Villa Museum which conserves and displays these archaeological findings to extend our knowledge of Roman Britain.

To sensitively restore a sprawling Medieval Hall House, parts of which date back to the 12th century, into a comfortable, convenient and practical modern family home while undergoing an in-depth process of restoration and preservation of the unique original features that make it worthy of its Grade 2* listing. The challenge being bringing this deteriorating heritage asset into the 21st century, making it suitable for modern day living standards and a life-long home for a young family of six.

Stonewood’s craftsmen were tasked with undoing insensitive 1970s and 80s modifications to re-establish the original features of a home once owned by Henry V’s standard bearer at Agincourt without causing further harm.

Its team also had to introduce modern conveniences such as underfloor heating, contemporary plumbing and electrical work, fibre optic broadband and other comms technology, seamlessly into this medieval setting without compromising its aesthetic

To design and build Somerbrook, a neighbourhood of 38 two, three, four and five-bedroomed family homes that embodies the traditional feel of the village it lies adjacent to while offering the space, light and flexibility of modern houses.

As Stonewood’s first development, it was important to set a high standard of design and build, bringing together the creative flair of architect Stonewood Design and the know-how and attention to detail of Stonewood’s construction team. The team set out to push the boundaries of what can be offered in terms of design, build and finish in a development home.

Another objective was to ensure the development blends seamlessly with the neighbouring Brook Farm, which was first established in the 1500s, and design an impressive entrance to the neighbourhood that makes a feature of the listed farm buildings that form part of it.

The principal objectives of the project were to carry out a complete refurbishment of the Grade II listed commercial property, into the new home of Stonewood Design (SWD), our Architect sister company.

The building dates from the 17th &18th centuries and originally, in part, comprised of a malthouse. It is set with its gable onto the busy high street of Corsham.

During the 20th Century the building became the Corsham Corn Store, of which there is much photo evidence. The building had been gutted in the mid-1980s and until very recently housed a Chinese Take-Away.

Stonewood began work on the building in early 2019, with the aim to breathe new life into and create a permanent base for their growing architectural practice. At this time, it was clearly not befitting of a listed asset having been completely gutted prior to its listing.