Studio Ideas: Working on Listed Buildings

How do we work with Listed Buildings in the studio?

The types of buildings that we have worked on the past decade has varied substantially.  Every site and brief is unique, particularly when working in London which is filled with such a diverse built environment.

One type of project that often bridges all the above is either a listed building or locally listed building.  Working in London we come across heritage status buildings continuously and have delivered some 30+ refurbishments of listed and locally listed buildings.

Sussex Stables: Grade II Listed Barn

What is a listed building? How do I know if my building is listed?

A listed building is a building that has been selected as having a special architectural and historic interest and has a high level of protection within the planning system.

Generally buildings built before 1845 are almost certainly likely to be listed. Buildings built after 1945 can also be listed but their approval as listed has to meet careful selection criteria.

Listed buildings are assessed and selected by Historic England based on an action plan that considers Heritage Action Zones and Heritage at risk amongst other key areas.  Buildings can also be nominated to English Heritage for Listed Building Protection.  The building has to be eligible and details of this criteria can be found on Historic England's website: https:// historicengland.org.uk/listing/apply-for-listing/.

Lambeth Marsh House: Grade II Listed Cottage

Type of Listed Buildings:

There are three types of listing by Historic England:

- Grade I buildings are of exceptional interest.

- Grade II* buildings are particularly important buildings of more than special interest; 5.8% of listed buildings are Grade II*

- Grade II buildings are of special interest; 91.7% of all listed buildings are in this class and it is the most likely grade of listing for a home owner.

Local Authorities can also assign a status of Local Listing or Building of Townscape Merit to buildings that are not on Historic England's listing database, but they deem worth of heritage status.  The National Heritage List for England ontains details of all listed buildings in England.  To find out if a property is listed just search The list https://historicengland.org. uk/listing/the-list/

Similarly search your local authorities planning database to identify other heritage constraints on your building.