Revive & Tailor

Describe the work your company carries out

Revive & Tailor is a heritage and placemaking advisory that specialises in planning, regeneration, and design within the historic environment. With expertise in adaptive reuse of historic buildings, new development in sensitive heritage setting, we provide comprehensive support to public, private and third sector organisations, navigating the complex planning process across England. 

 We work collaboratively with architects, engineers and community groups to support creative repurposing existing buildings, breathing new life into unused spaces and capturing the unique character and history of each property. 

 We use historic archives, spatial data and GIS softwares to understand the complex layering of a place’s evolution, representing both tangible and intangible values of heritage. Our public and private sector experience enables us to understand both client and council sides. This allows us to develop a collaborative scheme that will be commercially viable within relevant socio-economic and historic context.

Give examples of up to three projects you have undertaken

Kings Cross Methodist Church 

Project Location: Birkenhead Street,  London
Client type: Charity
Type of project: Heritage and Townscape Assessment 

 Nestled between several listed Georgian terraces and within Bloomsbury Conservation Area, the Kings Cross Methodist Church was one of the first buildings within the area. Changes over time meant several alterations to the layout and facade. The challenge was to adapt the building for its continued use as a methodist church alongside additional accommodation, all within the current sensitive setting. 

 Working with Matthew Lloyd Architects, we advised on the new massing and elevation language, deliberately designed to reinstate the building’s important position as a community institution since 1828. 

 The scope included providing a heritage statement highlighting the evolution of the building, the hierarchy significance of various parts and robust justification in favour of the additional massing both in terms of heritage and townscape impact

matthew.lloyd@matthewlloyd.co.uk 

 

King’s Cross Methodist Church, before (left) and after (right) view 
Source: Matthew Lloyd Architects

 

4-5 Bedford Square [Live application] 

Project Location: Bedford Square, London
Client type: Private
Type of project: Heritage Significance and Impact Assessment 

Nos 4-5 Bedford Square forms part of a Grade I listed terrace, originally built between 1775 and 1786 as part of the Bedford Estate. The terraces along with Bedford Square form an important and complete example of 18th Century town planning. The buildings are currently amalgamated as one property and in temporary use as offices on the ground floor; with upper floors remaining vacant. The new owners would like the buildings converted to a private member’s club with two fine dining restaurants, an event room and various gathering rooms.

We worked closely with the Clients, Restaurateurs and Mechanical & Electric Engineers to achieve the required interventions to provide for the new kitchens, keeping in mind the highly sensitive listing of the building. It required carefully locating services at locations that had already been altered in the past so that no further harm would be caused to the building. We are continuing to work with the Clients advising them on the decorative scheme and finishes based on the building’s Georgian history.  

 

Heritage Significance Figure, highlighting the most sensitive parts of the building
Source: Heritage statement, Revive and Tailor

 

Royal Tunbridge Wells

Project Location: Town Centre Master Plan
Client type: Local Authority [sub-contracted via Arup]
Type of project: Historic Area Characterisation and Impact Assessment 

Arup were appointed to undertake a high level study for the Tunbridge Wells Borough Council’s Planning to inform future growth strategy for Royal Tunbridge Well Town Centre. As a specialist sub-contractor, working with Arup’s Urban Design team, revive and Tailor’s scope included providing historic development of the town centre, identifying heritage assets, townscape features and highlighting key opportunities and constraints for future town centre related growth. The unique and highly valued character of the town presented two distinct hubs, defined primarily by their functionality and topography: The Historic Core with the almost pristine ‘Spa town’ origins; and the Upper Town Centre with modern shopping centre and post-war interventions. 

The challenge was to ensure that the historic character remains intrinsically woven into future development proposals, especially with high density site allocations identified by the Council. A key aspect of the assessment was to point out potential enhancements to the area through way finding, public realm and new views, whilst adding a new 21st Century layer of urban fabric sitting harmoniously within the existing historic setting. 

In addition to historic evolution, spatial character and analysis of each sub-area, key set of views, townscape attributes and heritage sensitivities were highlighted. For each allocated site, Revive and Tailor assessed the potential impact of new development within varied massing and landuse parameters agreed with Arup and the Council. 

The Study is currently under review with the Council.  

Sketches showing character sub-areas and key townscape views.
Source: Source: Arup and Revive & Tailor

HESPR 'Designated Service Adviser'

Name: Nairita Chakraborty

Job title: Director

Tel: 07515348036

Email: nchakraborty@reviveandtailor.co.uk

Which of the following roles do you consider your company carries out under the HESPR scheme?

Historic Building conservation YES

Conservation planning YES

Architectural design and new build in historic areas

Historical research YES

Historic area assessments YES

Project Management YES

Archaeology

Climate Change Adaption

Other