Ongar

                  

A massive fire destroyed most of the barns leaving only the brick plinth walls and the walls to the Stable Block, the latter being in a near critical state of collapse. 

Hills were first called to site in April 2010 when we had to make the site safe and remove debris etc.  Being a Listed Building, the local Conservation Officer had a substantial input into the re-build. Unfortunately photographic records of the barns previous to the fire were few and far between. Using a combination of a few old photographs, the owner’s memory, and other records the project was pieced together.

Following a survey of the remaining structure, drawings and plans were produced, tweaked as necessary and eventually produced and approved. A phased programme of construction was agreed commencing with the Stable Block and following on with the Bull Pen and then the Main Barn. Each green oak phase was manufactured and assembled and then carefully taken apart, transported and finally put together on site. Prior to the arrival of the timber, the brick walls were repaired using a combination of salvaged bricks from site and matching new specially made replacements. Lime mortar was used comprising of a 1:3 mix of lime putty and sand. Modern stainless steel reinforcement was designed and incorporated into the brick structure to provide additional hidden stability where require. 

The oak frame has been clad with treated softwood feather edge boarding stained black. New Ashbury Multi handmade clay plain tiles have been used on the Stable Block and the Bull Pen with the Main Barn being covered with Natural Welsh Penrhyn Slates.

“I would like to express my thanks to you both and your supporting staff/sub contractors, for a thoroughly professional and good quality job.It was always going to be very difficult to try and re-build the Barn and stables, starting after the fire. It is never easy to remember how it was laid out and finished originally!
I think that your staff worked very well with the Tenant in the house, minimising any possible disturbance; so thank you for this, particularly to your site manager, who handled matters very well.
The oak frame is a real piece of quality workmanship and, on behalf of myself and the client I would like to say how good the job looks upon completion.
Please pass on my thanks to all involved.  Stuart C Moulder  FRICS, SC Moulder Limited “