Sail & Colour Loft

The Sail and Colour Loft Building built in 1723 is Grade 1 Listed and a Scheduled Ancient Monument located within the Historic Dockyard Chatham. HMY were appointed to ft out part of the ground and first floors and the whole of the second floor for the Kent Business School.
The challenge was to provide cellular accommodation within what was historically large open plan spaces and not destroy the sense of openness. The use of glazing and wave form walls provide long views at high level to the historic structure whilst providing the necessary privacy for seminar rooms and offces at low level. The design also differentiated new and old elements.

Early engagement with the Chatham Historic Dockyard Trust and Historic England ensured the design strategy was developed with agreement of all parties to maintain the project programme. This included some external alterations to provide daylighting to spaces and accommodate the necessary services and ventilation. Identifcation of important historic elements within the building informed the design. It also gave a robust framework for the contractor to work within to ensure the historic fabric was preserved.