Practice Profile

Thorold Architects cc is a compact, specialised practice that focuses on various aspects of architectural conservation, restoration and adaptive reuse; in addition to new work and landscape design. Both new and rehabilitation work are highly responsive to the built and natural environments, and restoration emphasizes integrity between old and new – creating timeless synergy. The practice provides intensive levels of architectural service throughout the project, from inception through conceptual and detail design to contract management and project supervision.

The practice, established in 1988 by Jacqui & Trevor Thorold, has extensive experience of working and consulting on historic buildings, precincts and cultural landscape settings. The members provide a range of complementary skills in design and technical inputs, including landscaping and interiors.

Further Services

Appraisals of properties and building fabric condition for conservation and rehabilitation; and preparation of measured drawings Landscaping appraisal, design, plant specification, and implementation Heritage significance appraisals of buildings & cultural landscape; Heritage Impact Assessments. Appraisal and design of specialist requirements: electrical, heating, security installations, the conservation of friable artwork. Extensive detailing of fittings, installations and furniture; of historically authentic or contemporary purpose-made joinery and ironmongery. Close liaison with specialist contractors, restorers, joiners, plasterers, blacksmiths and metal workers, arboreal specialists, etc. The firm frequently works in association with other architectural practices, historians and conservation planners, and archaeologists, as well as consulting as specialist heritage and conservation architects.

RESIDENTIAL

The practice has extensive experience in residential projects, including new residences, renovations, conservation and redevelopment; single residences, row housing, holiday cottages; variously in urban, suburban and rural contexts. Historical properties and buildings have ranged from 18th Century Cape Dutch, early 19th C transitional and Cape Georgian, a diversity of Victorian era grand residences, houses and cottages, Arts & Crafts/ Cape Dutch Revival including H Baker, and 20th C from Edwardian through to contemporary styles and influences.

PUBLIC WORKS

Conservation projects and heritage consultancy for the Western Cape Department of Public Works have included works at Rust en Vreugd (William Fehr Collection), Cape Town; Elsenburg Manor House, and Old Stables; Tokai Manor House and werf; and a range of renovation, engineering and landscaping projects at Leeuwenhof Estate. At Valkenberg Hospital the c1895 core historical complex of has been conserved, adaptively recycled and redeveloped for the hospital’s administration, medical suites, archives and support services.

UNIVERSITY OF CAPE TOWN

The practice has consulted extensively to UCT on heritage matters, including the appraisal & mapping of the buildings and cultural landscape setting of the area from Groote Schuur Estate to Groote Schuur Hospital. Detailed Heritage Significance Appraisals of specific precincts, generally in association with other historians and planners, have included: Welgelegen-Zorgvliet Precinct; Glenara-Strubenholm Precinct; Medical School campus; and Avenue Road Precinct, Mowbray (HIA). Conservation architectural consultancy and services have been provided at The Woolsack, Welgelegen, Wolmunster, Strubenholm etc.

CONSERVATION AND LANDSCAPING

Conservation and development works to significant private estates have included Solms-Delta Estate, including restoration and alteration of the old Wine Cellar to museum, wine-tasting and restaurant facilities, Lubeck long-house; 8 new houses for farm workers, conversion of Deltameer Old Stables to music museum and restaurant, and new kitchen and restaurant buildings; award-winning conservation and landscaping works to Waterhof and ST Ronans, Oranjezicht; and remnants of Boshof Estate including Tabora, Boshof House, and the Boshof Gateway, Newlands.

COMMERCIAL PROJECTS

Commercial projects incorporating significant historical fabric have included award-winning Heritage Square, in association with GAPP Architects, for the restoration, recycling and redevelopment of twelve c1780s & 1900s historical buildings for Cape Town Heritage Trust and Montsi Properties, forming a boutique hotel, restaurants, shops & galleries; and the Stanford Guest Lodge & Conference Centre, including conservation and recycling of Sir Robert Stanford’s 1850s buildings, a new conference centre, 21 guest cottages, restaurant, and landscaping.