Newsblog
May2025
Above image: Chinthurst Hill, Wonersh, Guildford, recent extension by Moxley Architects. Image courtesy of Moxley Architects.
We have the pleasure of relaying in this bulletin a potpourri of Lutyens news, bits and bobs for you to enjoy ahead of the next Newsletter, and with requests for your expertise. The items below include:Chinthurst Hill’s extension wins the Surrey Historic Buildings Trust’s Best Design in Historic Context Award 2025Unveiling of plaque to the architects of Liverpool Metropolitan CathedralA new edition of Judith Tankard and Martin Wood’s ‘Gertrude Jekyll at Munstead Wood’Sale of set of Lutyens’ ‘spiderback’ chairsWhere is this? Request for your help identifying the subject of a Robert Lutyens’ paintingCall for volunteers: would you or a friend like to spend more time with Lutyens?Subscription increase thanks and reminderCelebration of the King George V Memorial, WindsorGoddards Study Day, 11 June, booking nowCHINTHURST HILL WINS SHBT AWARD
Moxley Architects Ltd, working for private clients, won the Surrey Historic Buildings Trust’s (SHBT’s) prestigious award for the best design in a historic setting from a competitive field. The award recognises outstanding and sympathetic new design, either in the setting of an historic building or in an historic or architecturally significant area. At Chinthurst, the judges advised that the leisure extension was ‘superbly detailed, with eye-catching elements echoing the original architect’s style, magnificently conceived, and realised in the best materials – seamless and exquisite’.
Detail of a window in the new extension. Courtesy of Moxley Architects.
Chinthurst Hill was designed by Lutyens in 1893-95 in the Tudor style with inset Gothic traceried windows suggesting a mediaeval manor house altered in Elizabethan times. Set into the Surrey Hills, the house’s generous fenestration provides views out over the gardens which were planted by Gertrude Jekyll and the beautiful countryside. Members may recall a visit here in 2021.
The SHBT exists to help preserve historic buildings in and around Surrey, and, where necessary, to rescue heritage at risk by providing grant aid for conservation and essential repairs. Its awards celebrate the county’s architectural heritage, promote craftsmanship and skills by recognising and rewarding the best building conservation projects carried out in Surrey.
Moxley’s John Bradshaw led an expert team, drawing on research by Frances and Michael Edwards, with stunning stonework by AF Jones Stonemasons Ltd, MEPH’s structural engineer Blair Thompson. The leaded lights were provided by Craft Glass Ltd, the metal windows by Holdsworth Ltd and internal glazing by Vesteel Ltd. The roofing was attended by Ashford Hill Ltd while the general contractor was CCC Ltd. John Bradshaw reported that from the onset the client wanted the alterations and extension to be authentic with materials and detailing matching the original attention to detail. He commended too the skilled workforce and attitude of Angus Jones’ team: the draughtsman and adept masons who input significantly to the project, understanding the over-arching drive being to match the geometry and composition of the original designed by Lutyens.
2024 Natural Stone Awards Results Announced
On Friday 6th December, Stone Federation hosted the 22nd Natural Stone Awards Ceremony at London’s Leonardo Royal Tower Bridge Hotel.
Taking place every two years, the Natural Stone Awards celebrates the best examples of the use of natural stone in construction projects from across all sectors of the industry, from cladding and external masonry to interiors, and from landscapes through to restoration work.
Stone Federation Chief Executive, Jane Buxey commented:
“The 2024 Natural Stone Awards has been a fantastic celebration of the very best that this industry has to offer. This year, despite the challenges faced by the industry, the quality and quantity of entries was as high as it has ever been and is testimony to the agility, excellence and professionalism of the companies within the natural stone sector.”
The standard of the winning, highly commended and commended projects was very high throughout the eight categories. The category winners were all exceptional examples of the successful use of natural stone across a wide range of applications, from the striking natural range of stone cladding on County Durham’s Auckland Castle Faith Museum and the traditional charm of the load-bearing flint of the Private Chapel, Suffolk through to the grandeur of Rhodes House new cantilevered staircase and the city-shaping work of Glasgow’s M8 footbridge, the awards celebrated the full breadth of what can be achieved with natural stone.
A notable feature in nearly all the winning, highly commended and commended project was a sustainable project approach, whether that be using locally sourced stone, minimal waste designs or restoring the existing structure to benefit from the sustainability of retrofit.
This comes at a time when an increasing number of architects and clients are realising the whole life carbon benefits of using natural stone over other construction materials.
The Awards Ceremony was compered by sports presenter Jim Rosenthal who was assisted by the voice of Strictly Come Dancing, Alan Dedicoat. We were also joined by our guest presenter, Kevin McCloud MBE, presenter of the internationally acclaimed series Grand Designs. Alongside his work on TV, Kevin is a passionate champion of sustainable development, the historic environment and ecological construction. He is a fellow of the RIBA and in 2014 was awarded an MBE for services to architecture
The 2024 Natural Stone Awards enjoyed the support and sponsorship of a number of well-respected trade bodies and industry firms including FMDC, Hardscape, RCK Partners, Sandberg, The Society of British & International Interior Design, Schluter-Systems, StoneScape Expo, Stone Show and Welsh Slate
Guests at the Awards received a copy of the 2024 Natural Stone Awards Souvenir Brochure which can be ordered free of charge; to order a hard copy, go to https://bit.ly/4inx81a or to view the brochure online, go to www.bit.ly/NSABrochure24.
The Audley Hotel almost complete, including a rebuilt turret which had been destroyed during World War 2. The pinnacle of the turret has been gilded, the process of applying the gold leaf having been undertaken by our very own Mike Moxley!
Construction of the terracotta dutch gable and new dormers is complete as part of the LBC for the Audley Pub to replicate the original features of the building that were bomb damaged during the second world war. Each of the blocks were formed off site by specialist stone masons and constructed on site. Construction has also commenced on the new corner turret & finial again replicating the original feature.
Moxley Architects recently obtained planning approval and Listed Building Consent for an extension to the Grade II listed Chinthurst Hill, designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens’ and is an example of one of his earlier large projects.
The proposed extension, for which the working drawing programme is now underway, houses a swimming pool and gym and includes the reinstatement of the original roof level vent from the stables which had been removed by a previous owner.
Planning Approval for Mixed Use Development in Belgravia
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Planning Approval was granted for our proposals for the demolition of 35-37 Elizabeth Street, construction of a mixed use five storey new build development of four residential units, an A1 retail unit, and the refurbishment of the existing ground floor and basement of the adjacent property, 141 Ebury Street, to A3 Restaurant use. The scheme was given unanimous approval by the Westminster Councillors on Tuesday 14th April and was commended for its design by the members. Congratulations and thanks to all members the design team.
ExCeL (an abbreviation for “Exhibition Centre London”), designed by Moxley Architects and built by Sir Robert McAlpine opened in November 2000. Almost twenty years later, on 3rd April 2020 it was reopened in its temporary guise as NHS Nightingale by HRH Prince Charles.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-52150598
In less than two weeks the exhibition centre has been transformed to provide facilities for the care of, initially 500 and ultimately 4000, Covid-19 patients. The first patients arrived on the evening of Tuesday 7th April.
A section of the remaining façade of the Claremont Hotel collapsed as a result of the high winds brought by Storm Ciara on 8th February, coincidently just after Listed Building Consent for its demolition had been granted by Eastbourne Borough Council.
Demolition of the remainder of the dangerous structure was completed in a controlled manner on 14th February before the arrival of Storm Dennis over the weekend 15th / 16th Feb.
Ginny Sanderson of Sussex Newspapers published this short video in the Eastbourne Herald: https://video.twimg.com/ext_tw_video/1228285145645490177/pu/vid/1280×720/cUk60ziu0gOjJcTy.mp4?tag=10
The Claremont Hotel is a 2* listed mid 19th century building which was largely destroyed by fire in November 2019.
Moxley Architects are currently seeking planning and Listed Building Consent From Eastbourne Borough Council.
Frances and her late husband Michael, of Frances and Michael Edwards Architects, experts in the work of the renowned architect Sir Edwin Lutyens, gained planning permission and listed building consent for a new two-storey extension to the original stable wing at the east end of one of his earlier large commissions, a Grade ll listed property in Surrey.
Moxley Architects, having successfully worked with Frances and Michael Edwards on the award winning refurbishment of the Grade l listed Folly Farm in Berkshire between 2008 and 2012, were introduced by Michael to the new owners of the property and have subsequently been engaged to implement the project.
The works include new roofing, realignment of the roof to replicate the original roof form and the reinstatement of a tall tiled roof vent positioned over the old stables, internal and external alterations, including new bathrooms, services and reinstatement of key fireplaces, and the new extension to the stable block.
Director, Paul Straupmanis, on BBC Radio 5 Live
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