Restoring the 14th Century Bakery
Bakery Living room
Breathing Life Back Into a Historic Sussex Landmark
REAFE STUDIO is delighted to be working once again with a valued client—this time entrusted with the complete restoration of their extraordinary 14th Century bakery, a Grade II listed* historic gem in one of West Sussex’s most beautiful villages. Known locally as The Old Bakery, the building stands as a rare example of medieval timber-framed craftsmanship, yet decades of neglect, inappropriate modernisation and weather damage have left it in a fragile state. Our mission is to safeguard its future with a sensitive, thoughtful and deeply respectful approach.
A Building of National Importance — and in Need of Care
As a Grade II listed property*, The Old Bakery is recognised by English Heritage as being among the top 5.8% of the country’s most important historic buildings. However, its condition tells a different story.
Over the years, the bakery has been impacted by:
Dilapidation and water ingress
A leaking roof and compromised structure
Cold, damp interior environments
A patchwork of poorly executed modern interventions
Replacement of original Georgian windows and shopfront details with inappropriate UPVC elements
The slow concealment—and partial destruction—of the medieval timber frame
Despite this, the building’s soul remains intact. Beneath the layers of modern fixes lies a remarkable structure with centuries of narrative embedded in its beams, joints, and patina.
A Sympathetic Restoration Rooted in Craft, Patina & Respect
Our approach is intentionally light touch, focusing on revealing, not rewriting, the building’s story.
The restoration will include:
Reinstating authentic Georgian windows, mouldings and shopfront proportions
Repairing and conserving the original medieval timber frame
Removing harmful modern additions
Restoring the roof using traditional methods to eliminate damp and heat loss
Introducing natural, breathable materials such as lime plasters, limewash, and handmade tiles
Using salvaged and historic elements wherever appropriate to preserve continuity
Every decision is measured and conservation-led, ensuring that the building’s centuries-old character, imperfections and patina endure.
Digital Precision for a Medieval Masterpiece
Before restoration begins, we are creating a highly detailed 3D digital twin of the entire structure.
Every beam, joint, chamfer, deviation and handmade detail is being measured and recorded with precision.
This digital model will:
Assist conservation officers
Support planning approval
Guide heritage craftsmen
Provide a long-term record for future generations
Allow structural analysis without intrusive opening-up
It is the perfect fusion of ancient architecture and modern design technology, allowing us to honour the past with the tools of the present.
Craftsmanship at the Centre
The restoration will be carried out by some of Sussex’s finest heritage craftspeople:
Timber framers
Lime plaster specialists
Traditional glaziers
Historic joiners
Conservation roofers
Metalworkers and stonemasons
Our collaboration ensures that every intervention—from a new peg joint to the final limewash coat—is executed with authenticity, skill and reverence for the original structure.
A Home That Respects Its History
While the building will be fully restored, it must also serve as a warm, functional family home.
We will design:
A new kitchen inspired by traditional joinery
Bathrooms using natural, tactile materials
Thoughtful storage solutions that sit quietly within the historic envelope
Modern environmental upgrades that remain fully reversible
The aim is to breathe new life into the bakery—not modernise it beyond recognition, but allow it to live gracefully in the 21st century.
A Piece of English History, Ready for Its Next Chapter
The Old Bakery restoration is more than a project; it’s a privilege. To work on a structure that has witnessed over 600 years of craft, life, trade and community is humbling—and our responsibility is to ensure that this storied building continues to inspire for centuries to come.
The work spans:
Architecture
Conservation
Masterplanning
Landscaping
Architectural Interventions
Interior Architecture
We look forward to sharing the journey as this remarkable historic building begins its careful transformation.
