Consultant engineering company Clegg Associates has combined creative skill with technical expertise to provide structural engineering solutions for the award-winning Heckfield Place, an 18th Century Grade II Listed Georgian country house that is now a world-renowned luxury hotel.
Clegg Associates has been an essential part of the team behind a transformation that has seen an elegant and luxurious country house hotel emerge from a listed building in need of extensive restoration.
Heckfield Place is increasingly recognised as one of the world’s finest hotels, winning awards and international recognition for the luxury and elegance that guests experience. Beneath the surface of this unique venue are a multitude of innovative structural engineering solutions devised by Clegg Associates, transforming this historic property into a state-of-the-art hotel while retaining its original Georgian charm.
Mike Wingfield, Director at Clegg Associates and Heckfield Place Project Lead, comments, “We have been part of the Heckfield Place team since its inception in 2009 and our structural engineering expertise has been a key factor in the creation of a serene environment for hotel guests. Our engineering solutions have enabled the character of this Listed building to merge seamlessly with unique features such as an underground cinema, a state-of-the-art Energy Centre and modern spa facilities.”
Clegg Associates devised structural solutions to ensure alterations blended perfectly with the original building structure. This included the creation of a large underground space to house a luxury screening room with capacity for nearly 70 people. To create a seamless link with the original house, a 35 metre by 30 metre space was constructed within 1.5 metres of the walls of the Listed structure. Clegg Associates ensured that the piling, excavation and construction of this space was completed with no risk to the integrity of the Listed building.
Within the main hotel building, Clegg Associates devised specific technical approaches to deconstruct and rebuild structurally sound spaces, including additional steelworks to secure the structural strength of individual rooms, without compromising the look and feel of the building interior or key original features.
A second excavation plan was also carried out to provide functional basement space with numerous options for energy provision, taking into account both environmental and efficiency considerations while ensuring that the energy needs for the hotel are provided without noise, vibration or other disturbance for hotel guests.
The resulting facilities are perfectly proportioned, providing guests with luxurious accommodation, space to relax and exercise and a tranquil outdoor environment, undisturbed by state-of-the-art operational solutions.
John Blair, Clegg Associates Director, continues, “We’re proud that our professional and client-centric approach has established a long-term partnership with Heckfield Place. Our involvement continues as additional features are provided for future guests at this world-leading venue, and we look forward to contributing our technical and creative engineering skills to maintain the aesthetically flawless experience for guests at this incredible hotel.”