This stunning timber framed house in Henley on Thames was suffering the effects of a disasterous restoration attempt when the Tailormade team were asked to take on this project. Jon Tailor worked with Richard Oxley from Oxley Conservation to asses the project and it soon became apparent to these experts that a previous restoration attempt had caused the timber frame to become rotten all the way through. A clear example of how modern materials should not be used with period buildings, the cement render panels that had been placed over the external facade had prevented breathing and increased water build up  - so much so that water had started to run down the internal walls!

The main challenge with this project was to drop all the walls whilst keeping the roof and internal structure secure. The team created an internal wall from timber and metal props, from ground level to the underside of the wall plate. Next, the team dropped the walls, repaired and/or replaced the timber frame and introduced 2" hand made bricks with lime mortar.

Keeping the use of the right materials for this period building, the team then lime rendered the entire interior part of the 9" solid wall. The completion of this project also included the design and build of a front porch and a new kitchen extension.

​