Client The National Trust
Project Ongoing Repairs and Alterations
Location Sevenoaks, Kent
Services Full Architectural Services
Knole was built in the 15th century by Archbishop Bouchiere and subsequently enlarged as a Royal Palace under Henry VIII and Elizabeth I. The house of the Sackvilles since the 17th century, it has belonged to the National Trust since 1946. Knole retains the scale of a royal palace - as well as the impressive suite of rooms open to the public the house is occupied by ten separate households.
This still leaves the whole second floor empty, as well as some of the ground and first floor rooms. There is a considerable challenge in implementing a major programme of conservation repairs in a house with this combination of very fragile contents and several different households. Recently a comprehensive fire detection and alarm system has been installed and a new lightning conductor system. The house is being rewired and conservation heating added to the display rooms. Family and staff accommodation is being repaired and modernised and services renewed. A major conservation programme is starting in the public areas
