PTEa continues to be fascinated by the potential of redundant or under-used buildings to provide great new spaces to live and work. Many of these have a local or national heritage designation, but we also consider whether even the most modest buildings could have a sustainable future before arriving at a strategy for retention or replacement. We particularly enjoy combining restoration with modern interventions: adding contemporary extensions and interiors to old buildings or using restored structures
to add character and identity to larger new developments.

Our work in this field dates back to the early 1990s when we pioneered the conversion of redundant industrial buildings, schools and hospitals into thriving housing and mixed-use developments, winning a series of international conservation awards in the process – and it continues to this day with the multi-award-winning Gunpowder Mill conversion. We understand the constraints and possibilities of historic buildings, and the challenge of satisfying current regulations and environmental standards.