St. Michaels Church, Reepham, Norfolk

The project aim was to refurbish a medieval grade II* church to provide a warm community space with good lighting as well as enhancing the chancel area for quiet contemplation and worship.
The existing kitchen and toilet areas were refurbished to modern standards and a new mezzanine provides a flexible meeting room and office space. Energy efficiency was always a key factor and required us to consider the various options available, along with the difficulties of working in and around a medieval church.

Providing a comfortable warm environment

A ground source heat pump, coupled to an underfloor heating scheme was installed providing a comfortable warm environment and is the first medieval church in the diocese to incorporate this technology. The heat pump required three vertical ground probes to be drilled to a depth of approximately 100m each, located along the rear churchyard path. Archaeological surveys were required prior to any work commencing due to the historic nature of the church grounds and the remains of a previous church adjacent.

An energy efficient lighting scheme

A new energy efficient lighting scheme was provided to enhance the quality and ambience of the building. During the building works, existing ledger slabs were uncovered in the floor close to the entrance so to allow this to be viewed a section of glass floor was installed with LED strip lighting highlighting the tablet.

PJ Cozens carry out building services for clients throughout East Anglia, including Norfolk and Suffolk.