Rookhow is a Friends Meeting House in the Rusland Valley, set within 12 acres of ancient woodland. The building was constructed in 1725 and is Grade II* listed. Today it still serves as a place of meeting for local and visiting Quakers from across the UK.
On the 6th July 2023 the Lancaster & Westmorland Society of Architects (LAWSA), Cumberland Society of Architects (CSA) and the Lake District National Park Authority (LDNPA) hosted an event for local Architects and Contractors to learn more about the restoration and energy reduction techniques when dealing with old buildings and listed heritage assets, using Rookhow as a case study.
There was also the opportunity to see the ‘Best of the Lakes’ exhibition which showcases the design expertise of LAWSA & CSA Architects.
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The day involved opportunity to spend time in Rookhow with a series of welcome introductions and talks from those involved with the restoration project, including the Trustees, Contractor & LDNPA Conservation Officer. We then enjoyed lunch in the grounds and a catch up with local Architects, Designers, Heritage Consultants & Contractors.
The overriding strategy for the project was to restore the building, celebrating its history whilst equipping it for the future with an intervention that was minimal and quiet.
The main contractor and a trustee of Rookhow outlined the successes of the project that they hoped to apply to other buildings on the site, including the inclusion of a limecrete floor system and underfloor heating to help stabilise the internal conditions in relation to moisture and the installation of an air source heat pump to provide a more sustainable energy source for the building moving forward.
