Issue 35 autumn 2022 - Flipbook - Page 16
Chisholm & Winch
Completes Main
Auditorium in
Sectional Completion
at The TAB
Construction company, Chisholm & Winch, has handed
over the main auditorium at its £4 million The TAB
project in Lewisham, enabling The TAB’s church
community to occupy the restored grade II listed building
three months ahead of project completion.
collaboratively with the client, the design team at Paul
Henry Architects, and church financing specialist,
Stewardship, to overcome the challenges of variations to
the scope of work due to the age and condition of the
building, and delays caused by COVID-19.
A former temperance hall that was dilapidated and
abandoned prior to the project, the heritage building has
been transformed by Chisholm & Winch to create a 650person capacity auditorium for worship and celebration.
The client can now begin holding services in the space
and has also taken possession of the completed cafeteria
and commercial kitchen, the communal facilities and the
toilets. Chisholm & Winch is on course to complete the
office and admin facilities in the existing front building by
the end of the year.
“From the outset, our commitment to the client was to
get the auditorium completed and allow them to begin
using it as soon as possible and it has been very rewarding
to see this old and tired building brought back to life in
the heart of Lewisham. It is particularly special to see the
TAB’s community sharing this transformed space after
the additional challenges and isolation of the pandemic.”
Pastor Mike White from The Tab added: “There were
times when the vision we had to transform this building
seemed like an impossible task but now we have a facility
that has exceeded everyone’s expectations.
The building’s roof, which was in very poor condition, was
removed by the Chisholm & Winch team and the roof
height has been raised to enable the addition of a 160seat capacity mezzanine balcony overlooking the stage,
maximising the capacity of the auditorium. Chisholm &
Winch reinstated the roof with a new timber frame, insulation and heritage slate tiles, and provided a new large
feature: a heritage-approved lantern rooflight. Refurbishment of the roof also involved refurbishing the original
dormers, including the leadwork to the dove cote, as well
as installing new dormers to the rear of the roof, in-keeping with the existing, to introduce more natural light into
the building.
“Throughout, Chisholm & Winch has worked in
partnership with us to understand our priorities, support
us in overcoming funding challenges and ensure the
finished project answers our needs, while respecting the
heritage of the building. Chisholm& Winch has literally
raised the rafters here so that our community can raise
the roof in faith and song every week.”
Top, restoration of the dove cote. Below, Tab roof
The existing floor construction was also removed and
completely replaced, with new reinforced concrete, and
the structure of the hall has been revised, with brickwork
alternations and additional steelwork to enable the
change of use and additional loading.
The project has been completed to the highest standards
of finish and performance, with a full BMS system to ensure energy efficiency and a wide-ranging mechanical and
electrical package including ventilation, comfort cooling,
and underfloor heating. Insulation in the roof and insulated plasterboard walls will provide thermal performance
beyond building regulations requirements.
Simon Castle, managing director of Chisholm & Winch
commented: “The Chisholm & Winch team has worked
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Conservation & Heritage Journal
14