heritage&renovation - case study 1
Rhinefield house hotel
We were approached by Hand picked hotels to solve an ongoing problem at Rhinefield house hotel in the New Forest. Due to health and safety requirements by building control, the large open arches in the oak handrails had to be made safe along with increasing the height of the hand rail. This had to be done with close control of English heritage as it was a listed building. Over a period of 3 years various meetings had taken place and solutions put forward all of which had been rejected, we were asked to help with one solution where a company was going to install glass balustrades in front of the banisters. We pointed out that this would act as an acoustic barrier and when they have a string quartet playing on the upper balcony it will block the sound entering the hall. We immediately spotted a solution and were commissioned to make some sample units to demonstrate the idea. The main concept was to make the panels fit in the original arches with the feet / mounting plates sat on a thin layer of rubber, then with a mechanical jacking method built into each panel the panels were secured. This was a benefit as they can be removed at any time and had minimal impact on the fabric of the building.
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)