A Jacobean-style Manor

This ambitious project of grade II listed property required innovative structural solutions to preserve the building’s historic character while accommodating contemporary design ambitions.

Originally built in the early 20th century, the property sits on a sprawling 60-acre estate and has long been celebrated for its historic and architectural significance.

As part of the latest refurbishment, the hotel’s stables were redeveloped into a new ‘East Side’ wing, creating a seamless blend of heritage, charm and modern hospitality.

Project details

IG Lintels was brought in to deliver bespoke and standard lintels that could meet the dual demands of aesthetics and structural integrity. The scope included:

• 20 parabolic arches in the stables redevelopment
• 94 brick feature lintels
• Additional standard steel lintels for structural openings

Our technical team worked closely with the client and architects to address the unique challenges posed by a historically listed property.

Technical challenges and solutions

1. Supporting Complex Arches

   The parabolic arches required careful load management. Using a goal post system design, our engineers ensured that each arch was structurally sound without compromising visual elegance.

2. Cost and weight efficiency

   By designing the steel lintels as arches placed on top of the brickwork, we achieved the same visual impact as a traditional arch while:

• Reducing material weight, easing transport and installation
• Minimising cost, as less steel was required
• Maintaining the historic look, keeping structural supports hidden

3. Heritage compliance

   Working on a Grade II listed building required precision and respect for original construction methods. All lintels were custom-designed to integrate seamlessly with the existing fabric while meeting modern structural requirements.

Project impact

The result is a redevelopment that respects the heritage while introducing bold architectural detail:

• Parabolic arches provide a dramatic visual statement across the new East Side development
• Brick feature lintels blend classic style with modern precision
• Structural solutions streamlined installation and minimised disruption to the historic estate

This project demonstrates how bespoke lintels can help heritage properties meet contemporary functional needs without compromising on character or elegance.

“The Arches to the manor presented a complex challenge, with the original design centred around structural stone arches, which introduced significant cost and weight implications. Rather than compromise, I worked with the builders to engineer a bespoke steel goal post arch system to support the loads while maintaining the desired look.

 

The steel solution significantly reduced the overall weight of each arch and provided to be a far more cost effective alternative. This also improved buildability and ease of installation on site without compromising the design intent.

 

Close collaboration with the structural engineers and architects was key to refining the details right down to the reducing of the outer flange to support the pistol cut stone. I turned a costly, heavy design constraint into a buildable and cost effective engineered solution.”

Jamal Gul, Technical Engineer, IG Lintels