POOL PARADISE TRANSFORMED INTO WORKSHOP RETREAT Conservatory Insulations
Toolerstone , a historic family home in the heart of an idyllic Cheshire estate , has undergone a remarkable transformation in the last few years ..
So much natural light still enters the room but now we no longer face the problem with glare that we once had .
The pool room , originally built in 2006 , has now evolved into a not-for-profit ‘ creative escape ’ for hundreds of care workers .
After transforming the large glass room into a workshop in 2021 , the staff at Toolerstone in Sandiway faced a number of challenges .
They struggled to keep the space at a comfortable temperature with heating and air conditioning units due to fluctuating levels throughout the year . They were also plagued by the glare during summer workshops .
Toolerstone Estate Manager , Mark Burgess , recognised the need to address the complex dynamics of the ‘ glass classroom ’ on the estate thought to date back to 1640 .
He said : “ We needed to find an insulation solution that wouldn ’ t compromise the steel structure of the building , or remove too much light , as we knew we would eventually be turning the space back into a swimming pool area .”
This led Mark and his team to explore insulation options that could regulate temperature and moisture levels while seamlessly integrating with the existing structure . Last July ( 2023 ) he found Conservatory Insulations ( CI ) and embarked on a journey to find the perfect balance between functionality and aesthetics .
One of the primary challenges faced was the substantial 20m x 7m space , and the race against time to complete the project as classes were set to resume in a few weeks . Two CI fitters took four days to complete the installation with the patented C . H . R . I . S ® system , which uses a six-layer quilt , inspired by NASA technology , to ensure conservatories remain useable all year round .
Mark said : “ The room is a much more comfortable temperature throughout the year now and we no longer have to run the heating or air-con for long periods . “ So much natural light still enters the room but now we no longer face the problem with glare that we once had .”
Rob Grady , who fitted the system , said : “ We managed to work around the expensive gallery lighting on the workshop roof to install our specialist internal finish boards .
“ These were great for the workshop because they are specifically designed to reflect 90 per cent of light , making it perfect for an art studio .”
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