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The Grade II listed former Springfield University Hospital in Tooting, London, is undergoing an ambitious transformation into a prestigious residential development. As a crucial element of this conversion, TRC Contracts was commissioned to restore the building’s historic timber windows and rooflights. The project demanded more than simple preservation – it required a delicate balance between rejuvenating these architectural features and maintaining their historical integrity while adapting them to meet contemporary living standards.
The project
Years of exposure to the elements had significantly deteriorated Springfield Hospital’s original windows and rooflights, necessitating expert intervention. TRC Contracts conducted thorough assessments of each unit, developing detailed restoration specifications that would preserve the building’s historic character while enhancing performance.
The project demanded a precise balance between conservation and modernisation. TRC Contracts achieved this by combining traditional craftsmanship with innovative solutions, including the Repair Care timber restoration system and Draftfix draught proofing technology. This approach ensured authentic replication of original designs while improving functionality.
The complexity of the project was heightened by its setting within a large-scale, multi-phase development. TRC Contracts successfully coordinated our restoration work alongside other contractors while maintaining sensitivity to the hospital’s continued operations throughout the construction period.
Performance Enhancement
While maintaining historical authenticity, TRC Contracts significantly upgraded the windows’ functionality to meet contemporary standards. This involved replacing deteriorated glazing units and implementing advanced draught exclusion systems, resulting in superior thermal insulation and acoustic performance. These improvements enhance resident comfort while reducing the building’s environmental impact through improved energy efficiency.
The project’s rooflights presented particular challenges due to their scale and structural complexity. TRC Contracts executed careful dismantling and reassembly of each unit, applying specialist timber treatments and installing new laminated glazing. This meticulous approach ensured both the structural integrity and safety compliance of these distinctive architectural features.
Working closely with architects and developers, TRC Contracts ensured our restoration work aligned perfectly with the project’s overall vision. Our expertise in combining period-appropriate techniques with modern materials created an exemplary balance between heritage preservation and contemporary performance requirements.
Project Impact
The restored timber windows and rooflights at Springfield University Hospital showcase TRC Contracts’ masterful blend of preservation and innovation. Beautifully restored woodwork and enhanced functionality have transformed these elements into striking architectural features, with the rooflights providing abundant natural light that creates bright, welcoming spaces throughout the building.
Beyond aesthetic improvements, the restoration has delivered significant performance benefits. Enhanced thermal efficiency and weatherproofing contribute to the building’s sustainability credentials, creating comfortable living spaces while minimising environmental impact. This successful combination of heritage preservation and modern performance helped the Springfield Hospital conversion secure the prestigious Best Refurbishment Project award at the Housebuilder Awards 2023.
This landmark project exemplifies TRC Contracts’ expertise in sympathetic restoration of historic timber windows and rooflights. Our skilled approach has both preserved the building’s architectural heritage and enhanced its functionality for modern residential use, ensuring these important features will serve future generations while maintaining their historical significance.
