Ribbon Factory Coventry – Grade 2 Listed Building
Building Conversion
The Brief: Working with both the conservation officer and local archaeologists to carefully restore and bring back to economic use the building which had lain derelict for 30 years
Solution: The conversion into apartments and a restaurant was very painstaking and presented may differing challenges that had to be overcome.
A new steel frame was constructed over four storeys inside the existing building to stabilise the failed main structure and the brickwork then tied to the frame. The original timber windows were retained in the majority of cases and fully refurbished and repaired with draught proofing and traditionally reglazed. Chimneys were rebuilt and brick work repairs completed whilst also undertaking floor strengthening work. The building was completely re-roofed with natural slate.
The four storey high gable end was stabilised on an emergency basis using injection techniques when it was discovered that the gable had been built on top of the loose rubble left from the demolition of the former priory that had occupied the site in the middle ages.
The conversion involved a new stair tower clad in green oak to the north elevation and a new structural glass extension to the restaurant area on the ground floor.
As part of the Sterling Prize shortlisted Phoenix initiative in Coventry, the project has received much critical acclaim.
