Anthony Grimshaw Associates LLP is an RIBA Chartered practice, offering full architectural services from inception to completion, employing Architects Accredited in Building Conservation.
Established in 1962 by Architect Anthony Grimshaw, the practice is now run by his daughters Rebecca Grimshaw, Architect and Rachel Grimshaw, Interior Designer.
The practice undertakes a wide range of work, including both conservation contracts and new build, together with interiors and the design of furniture and fittings.
Balancing knowledge and experience of repairing old buildings with skill in creative design, the work of the practice often involves new designs within or alongside historic buildings. The challenge is always to contribute to the setting with both sensitivity and flair.
Established in 1962 by Architect Anthony Grimshaw, the practice is now run by his daughters Rebecca Grimshaw, Architect and Rachel Grimshaw, Interior Designer.
Anthony Grimshaw Associates LLP is an RIBA Chartered practice, offering full architectural service from inception to completion, employing Architects Accredited in Building Conservation.
The practice undertakes a wide range of work, including both conservation contracts and new build, together with interiors and the design of furniture and fittings.
We believe it is equally important to balance knowledge and experience of repairing old buildings with skill in creative design. Our work has often involved new designs either within or alongside historic buildings. The challenge is always to contribute to the setting with both sensitivity and style, but without pastiche.
We provide a prompt, efficient and friendly service and are always happy to respond to client queries or requests for information.
Rebecca Grimshaw has been a Chartered Architect since 1988, having studied at Manchester University achieving both a BA (Hons) degree and a B.Arch degree. RIBA membership was gained in 1990. Rebecca has been on the Register of Architects Accredited in Building Conservation since 2005, Category 'A'.
She is on the RIBA Register of Experts, has been an examiner for the RIBA North West Region Final Examination in Professional Practice and has also held a position on the judging panel for RIBA Awards (North West Regional Jury).
Rachel Grimshaw qualified with a first-class Honours Degree in Interior Design from Manchester Metropolitan University in 1990, achieving an MA with Distinction in 2009.
Experienced in the design of both furniture and fittings she has worked on many of the office’s interior schemes. She has been a visiting tutor on the Interior Design degree courses of Manchester Metropolitan University, The University of Central England, Birmingham, The University of Lincoln and John Moores University, Liverpool.
She is on the Diocesan Advisory Committee of Manchester Church of England Diocese.
The practice has received over 30 awards, including 4 Access for the Disabled Awards.
The office's Garden Gazebo building gained the very first RIBA 'Small Project of the Year' Award from Architects' Journal.
The nave ceiling at St Oswald's Church, Winwick was shortlisted (within the final two) for the John Betjeman Award (from SPAB), as was the conservation work to the altar panels at All Saints Parish Church, Wigan.
The steeple rebuilding at St Catharine's Church, Wigan received a Commendation from The Stone Federation of Great Britain.
The work of the office has been published in the Architectural Review, Architects' Journal, Building Design, RIBA Journal, Church Building & Heritage Review and other publications including Pevsner's North Lancashire and South Lancashire volumes, together with the three updated Pevsner's for the North West.
In collaboration with Steyn Studio the practice was recently shortlisted within the final 5 of the international competition to repair, conserve and reorder the church of St Michael le Belfrey, York.
We have extensive experience of working on ecclesiastical and other historic buildings, including Listed Grade I, Grade II* and Grade II. Our technical knowledge and understanding of historic structures informs the work we undertake, which includes Condition Surveys and reports.
Quinquennial Inspections are carried out for Anglican and Catholic churches, Quaker Meeting Houses, Unitarian churches, Methodist churches and the Coptic Church in the UK.
We have Architects included on the Manchester, Liverpool and Blackburn lists of Architects approved to carry out Quinquennial Inspections for over 90 churches in the Church of England.
We work closely with our clients helping them to achieve success with applications to English Heritage/Heritage Lottery Fund Grants which have included considerable community involvement.
The careful specifying and monitoring of work on site ensures high standards of workmanship are achieved with minimal interruption to the buildings occupants. We follow ICOMOS guidelines and SPAB principals.
We are members of The Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings (SPAB), Historic Buildings and Places, Friends of Friendless Churches, Wigan Buildings Preservation Trust and The Twentieth Century Society. We are also on the ‘Suppliers Directory’ of The Listed Property Owners' Club.
We also collaborate with other architectural practices of any size who do not have our conservation experience or accreditation.
We have undertaken major stone repair and replacement projects including specialist stone surveys to identify dangerous masonry, prior to carrying out conservation work.
Careful indent repairs and recarving of stone sections have been undertaken using new stone sourced to match the original.
Dismantling and reconstruction of a dangerously leaning stone steeple and octagonal tower included analysis of the original 19th century constructional techniques and stabilisation works. (Receiving a Commendation from The Stone Federation of Great Britain).
We have extensive experience of specifying stonework repointing using appropriate lime mortar together with newly inserted stone sections where needed (if stonework is too damaged).
Pinnacle rebuilding has included creating new carved heads and other intricate details where the originals were badly corroded and damaged so could not be saved.
Gargoyles and stone window tracery sections have been carved using traditional techniques used by stone masons for many hundreds of years.
When working on historic buildings we always follow a philosophy of careful conservation of original details with minimum intervention.
New work using stone has included the design of stone ramps and steps with balustrading and walling. These new projects are always carried out to meet exacting standards of workmanship using local, natural, and sustainable materials.
We have undertaken many re-roofing projects, often grant aided and following urgent dry rot eradication.
Reroofing to Listed buildings has included reslating using Blue Welsh slates, Westmoreland Green slates and Burlington slates, as well as Rosemary clay tiles, often replicating complex original patterning using specially cut fish tail slates or coloured banding.
We have undertaken lead roofs and flashings and more recently stainless steel roofs where lead would be at greater risk of theft.
We are experienced in the use of terracotta, including the assessment, repair, and replacement of historic terracotta, together with the use of new terracotta and faience. Rebecca Grimshaw has written on the subject, in particular her thesis “The Architectural Use of Terracotta and Faience in the North West”.
Two phases of repair contracts involving the conservation and replacement of terracotta window tracery were undertaken at St Clement’s Church in Ordsall, Listed Grade II (see under ‘Projects’).
Work at the landmark White Church in Lytham, Listed Grade II* involved replacement of white faience blocks. We have a close association with the manufacturers of terracotta and faience and have made several factory visits to see and agree work in progress.
Rachel Grimshaw is a ceramics specialist and has advised on the diagnostics of terracotta production.
We are experienced in the use of lath and plaster in historic buildings. We undertake inspections of historic ceilings and walls, commissioning specialist surveys where needed. We have diagnosed the causes of lath and plaster failings and have produced suitable specifications for replacement sections where decay has gone beyond the point of salvage. We work closely with specialist plaster craftsmen using both hydraulic and non-hydraulic lime together with fibrous plaster.
Listed Grade I
Repair and conservation of historic timber ceilings
It was found that a death watch beetle outbreak in the nave roof some 30 years earlier had not been dealt with effectively and was completely unsafe. Many junctions between the structural members had failed completely.
The design solution, after specialist timber treatment, was the introduction of a new steel structure above the roof to support it and to conserve all the original timbers, as many were no longer able to carry even their own weight. A scheme was devised so that the appearance of the existing coffered ceiling could be maintained. In some parts the death watch beetle attack was visible on the lower surface of beams and these were carefully repaired in English oak to a high standard.
The work now looks little different in appearance, the new structure being fully concealed, but the ceiling has been made safe. It is a bold solution but one which allows the original appearance to be maintained whilst still following SPAB principles and ICOMOS guidelines.
The work was funded by an English Heritage/HLF grant and was short-listed for the SPAB / John Betjeman Memorial Award.
Two further phases of work have since repaired both the north and south aisle ceilings and roofs.
The John Betjeman Award (SPAB)
Shortlisted
Photographs taken by Roger Quayle ABIPP
Listed Grade II
Dismantling and rebuilding of dangerously leaning stone steeple
This ‘Commissioner’s’ church built 1841 by Edmund Sharpe in a coal mining area was sinking and had a dangerously leaning tower and a curving steeple.
With the help of an English Heritage/HLF grant the church was made safe by the addition of new deep piled foundations and the reconstruction of the octagonal tower and steeple.
For reasons of cost the demolition and rebuilding was limited to the sections above church roof level.
The outer and inner stonework was tied together with stainless steel and a new stainless steel cross tree and tie rod were built in. Some pinnacles were also re-fixed and new stone indents and leadwork added. The square tower was repaired and repointed in the same hydraulic lime mortar used for the rebuilding.
A unique stainless-steel replacement cross in the form of a Catherine Wheel with “flames” was designed by the practice and fixed to the top of the steeple.
Winner of a Wigan Civic Trust Award and Commendation from The Stone Federation of Great Britain.
Photographs taken by Roger Quayle ABIPP
Listed Grade II
Repair of South Trancept windows
The complete repair of south trancept windows was undertaken with new stone tracery and glazing repaired and re-leaded. These windows had deteriorated due to the harsh marine environment.
Listed Grade II
Reroofing and repointing
Designed by James Medland Taylor in 1869, this mellow red brick church required extensive repointing and re-slating. This was carried out over two phases and included investigating and resolving the presence of dry rot and a fractured truss. Icomos guidelines were followed and a policy of minimum intervention was adopted particularly where unavoidable brick replacements were needed. Tragically, only a short while after the completion of this English Heritage and Heritage Lottery Funded work, the church was almost destroyed by arson.
Listed Grade II
Terracotta window tracery remade with glazing repairs
Work to this fine brick and terracotta building designed by Paley and Austin was part of (to date) 5 phases of work. The church is both an architectural focal point and an essential community resource in the heart of Ordsall, Salford.
The terracotta window tracery was in very poor condition: the terracotta facings had been lost with rain ingress causing further erosion and the structural integrity of the glazing was in jeopardy. Work involved new terracotta sections being purpose made with glazing repairs and replacements.
Work was funded by the Heritage Lottery Grants for Places of Worship Scheme.
Listed Grade II*
New glazed prayer space within existing church
This striking white limestone church by John Gibson, a pupil of Hanson and Barry, was begun in 1856 and is now something of a tourist attraction, nicknamed ‘The Marble Church’.
The bustle of tourists throughout the day means that there was nowhere in the building for private prayer. The solution was the creation of a 2.6m high two-bay enclosure in the south aisle, glazed in such an unobtrusive way that it is virtually invisible. No doors or roof are provided, and the frameless glass is cut into and round the intricately carved pews. The area is used also as a chapel for midweek services and encloses the war memorial.
From some angles there is only transparency; from elsewhere the enclosure can clearly be seen. The sparkle of the glass very much adds to the attraction of the building as there are multiple reflections of the colourful marble columns and complex foliage capitals.
Photographs taken by Roger Quayle ABIPP
Listed Grade I
The Song Room
There was a need for a dedicated choir practice space and the south transept was chosen as its location. The challenge was to leave this characterful 13th century space completely untouched and yet form some sort of enclosure for the choir, with storage for their robes and music.
The solution was to insert frameless glass on two sides within the transept and away from the stonework. The necessary glass manifestation is the plainchant music for the Salve Regina.
The result of this tactful and reversible insertion is virtually no change in the appearance of the south transept from the body of the church. Furniture is the classic 40/4 chair in black and seats 20, with new oak music cupboards. The existing lighting was upgraded in such a way as to avoid reflections and glare.
Photographs taken by Roger Quayle ABIPP
Listed Grade II
Repair and reordering of derelict church
The decision to retain this derelict building was both an architectural and an emotional one, with much of the history of the local community being rooted in the church.
The brief involved the complete repair of the building’s exterior and the re-design of the interior to incorporate new community rooms. These were for the use of the church but also as a way of generating future income, bringing life back into the building.
The new community activities are located on two floors. At ground floor level, the new worship area can extend into the community facility by means of a sliding but solid curved screen.
The strong colours in the interior - such as the kitchen and WC blocks - have been influenced by those popular during the Gothic Revival of the Victorian era. These colours are used only where walls are new; all existing walls are a neutral white, to emphasise the new insertions into the building.
Externally, the slate roof has been totally re-laid and trusses repaired, including new leadwork and new cast iron rainwater goods and walls repointed.
Winner of Rochdale Civic Society Heritage Award.
Photographs taken by Roger Quayle ABIPP
Listed Grade II
The Cube
Designed in 1849 the brief was to introduce new community facilities while retaining a sense of the internal volume.
The design solution is a single storey glass square (‘the Cube’) in the west end of the nave, set on the diagonal to lead the eye to the sanctuary, still allowing the west window to remain in view from the church. Kitchen, wc’s and storage areas are in the two remaining corners against the west wall.
Access to the building is through the original doors in the North wall, now with a lobby area to allow separate access to the Cube and church. This, together with the use of glass for the two visible sides of the Cube, enables both spaces to be in use independently of one another or as one space. Doors lead directly to the centre aisle, to retain the processional axis.
Photographs taken by Roger Quayle ABIPP
New community facilities within existing church
The curved form of the existing roof trusses is echoed in the shape of the internal roof over the new accommodation. The reception is angled to open towards the nave; the glazed kitchen opens indirectly so that it can also serve the meeting room without interrupting community activities; the facetted meeting room opens centrally so that it can be used as an extension to the nave.
This building, which is at the heart of a small community in Pennine Lancashire, is now used extensively throughout the week by a range of groups and organisations, not just by the church congregation. The flexibility of the space has allowed use of the building for activities as varied as concerts, plays, film nights, wedding receptions, conferences, community group meetings and family activities as well as the core church activities of prayer and worship.
Funding came from various sources including £285,000 from The Big Lottery.
Photographs taken by Roger Quayle ABIPP
Listed Grade II*
Designed by Welch, Cachemaille Day and Lander in 1931-32, Pevsner described the building as “A milestone in the history of modern church architecture in England”.
Work to the church included extensive conservation (including re-roofing) as well as new community facilities, re-ordering and design of new fittings.
A cylindrical sand-blasted glass meeting room is suspended over a rectangular community hall, with sliding doors facing the altar. Storage is below stepped “box pew” choir stalls; kitchen and toilets line the north wall and a first-floor community worker’s office overlooks the hall. By keeping the new first floor meeting room well below the panelled ceiling, but at a height in scale with the church, linked to the north and south walls by clear glass, the original volume of the 1932 building is still expressed.
The work was funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund and NLCB grants.
Photographs taken by Roger Quayle ABIPP
Listed Grade II*
Conservation, new siting and display of 15th century Lübeck altar panels together with chapel reordering
These remarkable two panels, originally forming part of a larger altar piece, are carved on one side with saints and the other painted with religious scenes.
Following the award of a Heritage Lottery Fund grant, conservation of the pieces was carried out by specialist painting conservator Ruth Bubb and timber specialist Hugh Harrison.
This work included stabilisation of loose material, surface cleaning and removal of obscuring surface coatings from both paintings and the statues. This dramatically revealed unexpectedly well-preserved paintings.
A new steel display system was fabricated by Alec Gannon allowing the altar piece wings to be displayed side by side yet also to swivel enabling both figurative and painted sides to be seen.
The John Betjeman Award (SPAB)
Commended
Listed Grade II
New cross to apex of rebuilt steeple
This unique stainless-steel replacement cross was designed in the form of a Catherine Wheel with “flames” torn out of the circular surround. To avoid any welds, only bolts are used, and the main members are curved or folded.
Stone Federation of Great Britain Award
Commendation
Photographs taken by Roger Quayle ABIPP
Listed Grade II*
New internal cross, aumbry and candle holder
As part of the extensive work carried out to this striking interior, [see also under Interior Work] three specifically sited new items were designed for the east wall surrounding the altar: an ambry and accompanying candle holder, together with a wall mounted cross. Inspired by design elements within the existing interior, the polished brass cross has contrasting blackened and polished steel elements. The candle holder, also in polished brass, is set alongside the black stained timber and gold leaf door of the aumbry.
Photographs taken by Roger Quayle ABIPP
Listed Grade II
New cross and new sanctuary furniture
The structure of the new furniture is based on a cross section through a fluted Gothic column and was originally intended to be made in stone. The idea of fragments lying on the church floor was a reminder of the parlous state of the building, derelict for some years until it rose again in splendour.
The furniture consists of an altar, lectern, bench, celebrant’s chair, two candle sticks, a Pascal candle, an aumbry and altar rails. The pieces are made of polished European oak and brushed stainless steel.
The cross in glass and steel was designed as a focal point behind the altar, below the high level East window. The glass and steel reflect and refract light.
Stone Federation of Great Britain Award
Timber furniture made by: Treske Ltd, Thirsk, North Yorkshire.
Cross made by: Alan Dawson Associates Ltd, Workington, Cumbria.
Photographs taken by Roger Quayle ABIPP
Listed Grade II*
New altar and sanctuary furniture
The design and manufacture of the altar, lectern, credence table and the celebrants’ chairs were part of a large repair, refurbishment and re-ordering scheme for the church.
The lectern, credence table and celebrant’s chair were all made from limed English oak. Lines of gold glass mosaic pieces were inlaid into recessed grooves to create a rich effect. The design of the Grinshill stone altar was based on the idea of a ‘rock’ riven on its front face to create the cross, this imagery being fed through into the timber sanctuary furniture. It can be read symbolically as the rending of the Veil of the Temple, the parting of the Red Sea or the bringing together of parts to make a whole. Whilst the designs are modern in conception, the splayed and curvilinear forms were inspired by the classical forms in the existing sanctuary area.
Winner of a Wigan Civic Trust Award.
Furniture made by: Clem Turton Ltd, Wigan
Photographs taken by Roger Quayle ABIPP
Listed Grade II
New organ casing and sanctuary furniture
A new altar, cross, prayer desks, celebrant’s chair, pulpit and altar rails were made in ash. A new organ case was made in ash.
The Worshipful Company of Carpenters Award
Highly Commended
Furniture made by: John Whitehead, Delph.
Organ case made by: Nigh Church, Stamfordham.
Photographs taken by Roger Quayle ABIPP
Listed Grade II
New sanctuary furniture
As part of the work in reconstructing this fire damaged church, the practice was commissioned to design the reordering of the sanctuary, together with new altar furniture, chairs, altar rails, screens and organ loft. These were made in ash.
Furniture made by: John Whitehead, Delph.
Photographs taken by Roger Quayle ABIPP
An addition to house designed by Anthony Grimshaw in 1972
The client wanted a retreat for work and play with a view across the Cheshire plain, which had recently been obscured from elsewhere in the garden by building work on an adjacent plot. The site is in the garden of a house in Alderley Edge, designed by the practice in 1972 using white concrete blocks and slate.
The gazebo is a parallelogram bounded by circular galvanised steel columns and channels. Inside the frame there is a box glazed on two adjacent sides, reached by a GRP grid ramp.
The floor is stressed plywood and the roof stainless steel; the two unglazed walls have composite polyurethane panels faced in powder coated aluminium. An air conditioning unit is located below the floor and there are low energy discs of light below the roof. A full height service column has gas, water, electricity, telephone and fax. It also incorporates a sink. A purpose made desk is along one wall.
RIBA AWARD
Architects’ Journal
‘Small project of the Year’ award
Manchester Society of Architects
‘Architecture in the Landscape’ design award
Photographs taken by Roger Quayle ABIPP
New 6 doctor medical practice and pharmacy
For this new 6 doctor medical practice and pharmacy traditional materials of smooth red brick, natural slate and white render were chosen to match the Victorian villas of the locality, whilst creating a modern interpretation. The narrow site meant that consulting and examination rooms were arranged in a line, towards the rear more private part of the site. The staggered alignment creates internal waiting space and a central full height corridor leads patients from reception to the doctors.
Each element of the building is expressed with its own materials. Larger volumes and entrances to the waiting room and pharmacy are emphasised separately with curving walls clad with smooth green Burlington slate. The two-storey element houses minor operations and nurse treatment rooms at ground level with offices and meeting rooms at first floor. External white render at the upper level highlight this block. An abundance of natural light is introduced throughout the building; at the ends of corridors, by means of high-level roof glazing, and in the pharmacy by a glass block wall.
Winner of a Wigan Civic Trust Award.
Photographs taken by Roger Quayle ABIPP
Conservation is, by its very nature, a more sustainable option; it believes in repairing an existing building for continued use.
The materials used in conservation are often locally sourced, environmentally friendly, sustainably sourced, and long lasting. Re-roofing a slate roof will extend the life of a building by approximately 100 years.
As Conservation Architects we encourage our clients to maintain their buildings, thereby prolonging the building’s life. We compile 10-year maintenance plans and can advise on suitable local contractors to carry out regular maintenance.
Rebecca Grimshaw has signed up to the ‘Heritage Declares’ (a non-affiliated group of heritage practitioners concerned about climate change), to urge more effective reactions to the climate emergency.
As a practice, we support the ‘RetroFirst’ campaign run by Architects’ Journal which promotes the reuse of existing buildings over automatic rebuild.
Last year, Anthony Grimshaw Associates LLP celebrated 60 years as an award winning architectural practice. We put together some of the highlights in this short film
View Video
The professional team managing and advising on the project were exemplary in performing their tasks. It was ably lead by our Architect Rebecca Grimshaw.
The fact that the work has progressed smoothly and without controversy speaks volumes regarding her ability. We were very fortunate to have such a good team
HLF Evaluation Report ~ St. Oswald's Church, Winwick
Thank you for all your help through this project. When we started this journey I had no idea of the process and certainly not the extent of the problem.
I do now feel confident in approaching other building projects and have been really amazed at how our church have responded. Thank you for your work in this
Rev’d Paul Ellis ~ Church of St. Mary, Grassendale
"Thanks again for going 'above and beyond' to get the second round HLF application completed, I have made it clear to the Rector and the Parish Church Council that this would not have happened without your ‘divine intervention’. We are most grateful!"
Andrew Marston ~ Church of St Michael and All Angels, Croston
I doubt that I would have been able to complete this project on the church's behalf without the support from Rebecca Grimshaw and her firm.
As a lay person with limited technical knowledge, her ability to explain complex architectural and conservation issues in simple terms was immensely valuable to me and our church. The overall project management was made much easier because Anthony Grimshaw Associates were willing always to go the extra mile to get the job done. I cannot thank them enough
Andrew Marston ~ Church of St Michael and All Angels, Croston
It has been a pleasure being associated with you all. Some say there are no more craftsmen left in this world today but you have proved them oh so wrong, well done
John Watkin ~ St Oswald's Church, Winwick
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ENQUIRY FORM
CONTACT INFORMATION
Anthony Grimshaw Associates LLP
6 Bridgeman Terrace
Wigan
Greater Manchester
WN1 1SX
United Kingdom
T: 01942 245777
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SOCIAL VALUE
Anthony Grimshaw Associates LLP has been awarded Wigan Council's Believe in Business Charter GOLD membership, recognising our commitment to supporting our local town through our Social Value and Sustainability initiatives. We comply with all the requirements of the scheme.
We have extensive experience of breathing new life into old buildings and witnessing communities re-engage with their history and locality as a result.
We like to involve clients at every stage of the process including organising site visits and scaffolding tours as well as visits to specialist conservation workshops during the building work. In the past this has included visits to stained glass studios, stone masons and terracotta manufacturers to see work in progress.