Ling House
A derelict seventeenth-century listed house restored as a family home, retaining its historic character while introducing a complementary modern extension.
Rescue a nationally significant house from decades of decay.
Ling House dates from the seventeenth century and is associated with Colonel Adam Murray, a military commander during the Siege of Derry. After more than forty years standing vacant, the Grade B1 listed house and adjoining stone barn had suffered extensive damp, rot and insect damage.
Ian Maconachie was appointed as Quantity Surveyor, Project Manager and CDM Co-ordinator to restore the buildings, retain or repair every redeemable historic feature and add modern living accommodation.
Preserve the evidence of the building’s long history.
The fabric included damaged roof timbers, hard cement render, decayed windows and doors, concealed stonework and an unsafe barn. The work also had to satisfy the Department for Communities Historic Environment Division and secure planning agreement for a contemporary extension.
Repair, reuse and repurpose wherever possible.
The roof was insulated and recovered with salvaged tonne slates. Repairable purlins, beams and trusses were retained and exposed. Cement render was removed and replaced with breathable lime plaster and mineral paint.
Pitch-pine pews salvaged from a fire-damaged Victorian church were remade as windows, doors and internal joinery. Original stone openings, the curved staircase, shutters, seats, fireplaces and panelling were repaired or carefully replicated. The unsafe barn was stabilised and incorporated into a new kitchen and living space using salvaged stone and repaired roof trusses.
Director-led control throughout the restoration.
- Quantity Surveying
- Project Management
- CDM Co-ordination
- Cost and procurement control
- Conservation liaison
- Delivery of the modern extension
A forgotten building made into a home for the future.
The completed project retains the varied materials and craftsmanship that tell the story of Ling House, while providing comfortable modern accommodation. The new extension complements the painstaking restoration without competing with the original building.