Bespoke IG Lintels bring individual character to the heart of stunning £26m school

  • 29 Nov 2021

Bespoke gothic arch lintels from IG Lintels play an important role in the transformation of an 19th century Carmelite convent, the centrepiece of the new Chichester Free School.

Vacated in 1994 and in disrepair since a fire destroyed its chapel in 2009, the convent in Hunston, West Sussex, required partial demolishing and refurbishment as part of the creation of a new school for over 1280 students. 

In a design by Novium Architects and built by Farrans Construction, the new school blocks are linear in form with each wing projecting either side of the newly restored and central convent block which forms the heart of the school.

The new build aspects have been designed to complement the existing convent block – a heritage building which is essential to the character of the site and a valuable asset to the new school.

To ensure the existing convent facades were restored to their former gothic glory, IG Lintels was approached for the design and manufacture of a bespoke double gothic arch lintel.

A 1580mm opening span, incorporating two 650mm wide gothic arch details, with a 430mm rise was specified – increasing the end bearing to extend the distribution of the load to the brickwork.

This lintel replicated the dimensions of an existing opening, ensuring full structural support was restored.

With the new school now open to students from reception through to sixth form, IG’s provision of special lintels ensured Farrans Construction effectively retained the original features of the historic building.

The previously disused convent building is now fully restored and forms the heart of the Chichester school development, demonstrating the importance of restoring buildings of such architectural significance. 

To read about IG Lintels bringing character and thermal efficiency to homes in Bedfordshire, click here.

Visit the IG Lintels website

Download Hi-therm+ Brochure

Download IG Brick Slip Feature Lintels Brochure

Leave a Reply

Latest news

FLIR Si1-LD Acoustic Imaging Camera for Compressed Air Leak Detection

FLIR, a Teledyne Technologies company, introduces the Si1-LD, an industrial acoustic imaging camera that brings faster and more accurate compressed air leak detection to those operating on a modest condition monitoring budget.

Posted in Acoustics, Noise & Vibration Control, Articles, Building Industry News, Building Products & Structures, Building Services, Facility Management & Building Services, Information Technology, Innovations & New Products, Retrofit & Renovation, Sustainability & Energy Efficiency, Thermal Imaging and Monitors

LIFTEX 2025 Seminar programme announced

Registration has opened for LIFTEX 2025. Now in its 37th year, LIFTEX 2025 is the UK’s only dedicated exhibition for the lift, escalator and access industry and takes place only once every three years.

Posted in Access Control & Door Entry Systems, Accessibility, Articles, Building Industry Events, Building Industry News, Building Products & Structures, Building Regulations & Accreditations, Building Services, Exhibitions and Conferences, Facility Management & Building Services, Health & Safety, Retrofit & Renovation, Security and Fire Protection, Seminars

MCRMA welcomes ArcelorMittal UK to membership

A UK division of the global steelmaking business ArcelorMittal has become the latest new member of the MCRMA, the industry association representing the metal building envelope sector.

Posted in Articles, Building Associations & Institutes, Building Industry News, Building Products & Structures, Building Systems, Cladding, Facades, Posts, Restoration & Refurbishment, Retrofit & Renovation, Roofs, Steel and Structural Frames, Walls