The Sussex Heritage Trust Awards, in their 18th year, seek to recognise and reward high quality conservation, restoration and good design of newly built projects, and encourage the use of traditional skills and crafts.

Mockford, in Parkminster, Sussex, was awarded in the Small Scale Residential category.

Terry Adsett, chartered building surveyor, and Michael Fountain, architectural technologist, both from Savills Petworth, worked on the project to convert a pair of very dilapidated farm cottages into a single dwelling.

Mockford, which is two miles south west of Cowfold, is a Grade II listed, timber framed building with red brick infilling, dating from the medieval period.

While there had been many changes to the building over the years, much of the original timber frame construction remained behind or below later finishes.

The quality of some of the timber frame and embellishment is excellent and it is clear the building was built for somebody of some stature or importance.

There is very firm evidence of medieval rafters, with a castellated dais beam between the entrance lobby and kitchen, and a moulded timber section on the underside of the main beam at first floor level.

Throughout the renovation, the Horsham Stone roof, which was calculated to weigh 40 tons, was kept in-situ, and a discrete steel frame was inserted into the building, thus retaining al the historic roof and timber frame in place.

Terry Adsett, Savills Petworth, said: “The philosophy for the project to convert the cottages into a single house was to pare back the later coverings to show the original timber framing. Very little new timber has been inserted, with metal brackets only where essential, but ultimately to allow the building to be renovated up to modern day standards to be enjoyed as a viable residential unit.”

The Sussex Heritage Trust announced the winners at Pangdean Old Barn, Pyecombe on July 7.

There were 20 awards and 14 highly commended projects announced this year at a sold out awards luncheon hosted by the President of the trust, The Rt Hon Lord Egremont DL.

Pictured: L-R Adrian Waller, Site manager – ARW Builders, Pulborough; Terry Adsett FRICS, Architect – Saville Petworth; Michael Fountain MCIAT, Chartered Architectural Technologist – Saville Petworth; and James Tasker, Structural engineer – Campbell Reith, Redhill (Credit: Carlotta Luke)