29 Polkirt Hill, Mevagissey

Award Winning Restoration of a Grade II Listed Townhouse

No.29 Polkirt Hill is a Grade II Listed house forming part of an 18^th century terrace in the historic fishing village of Mevagissey. Although modest in its external appearance, the building was found to contain an exceptional collection of surviving historic fabric, decorative finishes and evidence of its evolution, which informed a conservation led approach to its sensitive repair and restoration for continued use as a family home.

Our involvement encompassed the conservation, repair and refurbishment of the listed building, including obtaining the necessary statutory approvals and providing architectural support through the construction works. As the project progressed, the careful removal of later finishes revealed a series of unexpected discoveries, requiring the proposal to continually respond and adapt to an evolving understanding of the building.

These discoveries included a rare painted decorative panel, fragments of early wallpapers and historic decorative schemes concealed beneath later finishes. Specialist conservators were appointed to undertake detailed investigation and analysis, identifying historic pigments including Prussian Blue and French Ultramarine. This provided a greater understanding of how the interiors had evolved and enabled decorative fabric to be carefully conserved and incorporated into the final scheme.

Our conservation architecture approach prioritised minimal intervention and the repair and retention of historic fabric wherever possible. Rather than seeking to restore the property to a single period in its history, the works sought to retain evidence of its evolution, allowing the different layers of the building’s past to remain legible within its continued use as a home.

The project also involved addressing inappropriate and unauthorised alterations undertaken during the building’s more recent history. Through an understanding of the surviving historic fabric and available evidence, elements of the traditional plan form and character were sensitively reinstated, strengthening the architectural integrity and significance of the listed building.

Substantial works were required to the roof, where the structural condition presented a particular conservation challenge. Working collaboratively with the wider consultant team, carefully considered structural solutions were developed to minimise the loss of original fabric whilst securing the long term future of the building. Externally, traditional and compatible materials were reinstated, including natural slate roofing, breathable lime finishes and conservation rooflights, ensuring that improvements to the building respected both its construction and architectural character.

The introduction of natural daylight formed an important part of the project, particularly within the constraints of the historic building and its sensitive roofscape. Carefully positioned VELUX Heritage conservation rooflights provided improved daylight to the interior whilst maintaining an appropriately understated external appearance and minimising their impact upon the significance of the listed building.

The success of the project relied upon close collaboration between the client, architect, Conservation officer, specialist conservators, craftspeople and consultants. Discoveries made during construction required a responsive approach, with emerging evidence carefully assessed to ensure that necessary change could be managed without compromising the significance and authenticity of the historic building.

Originally undertaken by Rowett Architecture prior to its merger with CAD Heritage, Polkirt Hill reflects the conservation led principles that continue to underpin our work: developing a thorough understanding of historic buildings, prioritising repair over replacement and sensitively managing change to secure their sustainable long term use.

The completed residential alterations project received a Commendation at the Cornish Buildings Group Awards 2025 and was Commended in the VELUX Daylight from Above Awards 2025, recognising the sensitive integration of daylight within the historic building. The project has subsequently been featured by VELUX as a conservation case study and in the RIBA Journal, highlighting how an adaptable conservation approach can preserve the significance of historic fabric whilst successfully accommodating the needs of contemporary family life.