St Peters Oare

Background

This Grade 1 listed church had a history of cracks documented for 400 years. The causes were thought to be roof spread and foundation movement, requiring unsightly ties across the east window and further costly underpinning. Adrian Cox Associates investigated the cracks individually, reviewed the soil conditions, and analysed the roof structure using finite element computer software. As a result the roof spread was shown to be negligible and further underpinning unnecessary. Intervention was kept to a minimum, ensuring that limited funds were used effectively.

Our Involment

An award winning heritage project using careful diagnosis of defects assisted by the latest computer analysis methods

Award

The architect responsible, John Bailey of Thomas Ford and Partners, received the King of Prussia's Gold medal, awarded for a project of outstanding aesthetic or technical merit. John had won the award the previous year for work at St Mary's Church, Stone, with Adrian Cox Associates also as engineers.

As a result of the work at Oare, Adrian Cox Associates were appointed in 2006 to advise on cracks at St John, Swalecliffe. Most were proven to be of less significance than feared thus releasing funds for a new porch and important repairs and maintenance.

Project Type

Heritage

Architect

Thomas Ford and Partners

Project value

£250 000

Completed

January 2004

Awards

King of Prussia's Gold Medal 2005