New Hall, Essex

In one of the UK’s leading independent schools, New Hall in Essex, Conservation™ timber sash windows, casements, external doors, doorsets and special shaped windows by specialist manufacturer Mumford & Wood have been designed and installed in the new Priory Court classroom block.  Tew & Smith Architects, of Northampton, worked with contractor Cadman Construction Limited of Colchester, Essex, over the two-year project which was completed in 2010.

Approached from a mile-long tree lined avenue, the main building occupies the magnificent former Tudor Palace of Beaulieu.  In 1517 the estate was acquired by King Henry VIII from Sir Thomas Boleyn, father of Anne Boleyn, who greatly enlarged and enhanced the building and called it Beaulieu.  For many years it was the home of Mary Tudor and was subsequently granted to the Earl of Sussex by Queen Elizabeth I.  Latterly, Oliver Cromwell procured the estate, commonly called New Hall, for five shillings.

Mumford & Wood’s high performance products, which are made from premium quality, clear-grade, laminated larch or oak, were architecturally specified for the new Priory Court classroom block which is adjacent to the Grade I listed Palace building and the surrounding historic park and gardens.  Double-glazed Conservation™ products are designed and manufactured in the UK and offer BSI energy ratings A – C, depending on choice of specification.  They provide an overall frame U-value of 1.4 W/m².K which out-performs the requirements of current Part L Building Regulations.  At the same time these products offer the charm and character of traditional originals which successfully blends old with new while providing ultimate levels of modern performance.

High acoustic performance was required of the window specification, as befits a school environment with upwards of 1000 pupils.  Mumford & Wood’s products can reduce unwanted noise entering or leaving a building while still achieving a traditional appearance.  Working closely with gasket, acoustic and glazing specialists Mumford & Wood have developed acoustic variations of 38dB for Conservation™ casements and 36dB for sash and box sash windows.  Performance has been independently UKAS tested in accordance with BSEN ISO 717-1:1997 to provide outstanding levels of air and sound resistance.

Conservation™ entrance doors installed at New Hall were made to measure with decorative fanlights.  Mumford & Wood use traditional mortice and tenon joints and a 57mm thick leaf within a substantial 68mm frame for ultimate strength and stability and feature a Secured by Design PAS 23/24 approved multi-point locking system.  Specially adapted enhanced security catches on the Conservation™ sash windows were approved by the Crime Prevention Officer of S E England.

In this prestigious project Mumford & Wood met the challenging brief of the architect and client with products of standard specification and only minimal adaptation.

Installation was an important element of the brief and Mumford & Wood were able to provide installation teams from a register of approved installers who ensure work is carried out to the most exacting standards of workmanship.  Delivery of over 90 Conservation™ products, in four consignments, met the critical schedule and installation work was essentially carried out during New Hall’s school holiday calendar to avoid any disruption or impact to pupils and staff.