Protecting historic character while creating spaces that work for today
Historic buildings require a careful balance between conservation, practicality and change. Whether you are planning repairs, alterations, an extension or a new use, the design must respond sensitively to the building’s character and significance.
Celona Consulting provides architectural and heritage design services for listed buildings, historic properties and buildings within conservation areas.
We help clients understand their building, explore appropriate options and prepare the drawings and supporting information needed for planning and listed building consent applications.
A conservation-led approach
Every historic building is different. We begin by understanding its age, construction, condition, architectural features and previous alterations before developing the design.
Our approach is to retain and repair significant historic fabric wherever practical while introducing carefully considered changes that allow the building to remain useful, comfortable and sustainable.
We can help with:
- Measured building and condition surveys
- Heritage assessments and heritage statements
- Planning and listed building consent applications
- Sensitive extensions and internal alterations
- Repairs to historic building fabric
- Traditional materials and construction details
- Window, door and roof replacement proposals
- Conversion and change-of-use projects
- Coordination with conservation officers and specialist consultants
Understanding significance before designing change
Successful conservation begins with understanding what makes a building special. We use this information to guide the design, explain the reasoning behind the proposals and demonstrate how the building’s character will be protected.
Where new work is required, we aim to create additions that are compatible with the historic building without competing with or unnecessarily copying the original fabric.
Why choose Celona?
We combine architectural design, heritage knowledge and practical construction experience. This allows us to develop proposals that respect the building while remaining realistic to repair, maintain and deliver.
With offices in Dorset & London, we work with owners, developers and contractors across South and the surrounding areas.
Give your historic building a sustainable future
Whether you are repairing a listed property, adapting it for a new use or considering sensitive alterations, we can help you identify the right approach and navigate the consent process.