Project Overview

Type: Architectural Design, Heritage Conservation, Interior Architecture
Location: Lewes, East Sussex
Status: Planning Permission Granted — Completion Summer 2026

No.1A Mount Place is a rare example of a former industrial unit situated in the historic heart of Lewes, within the South Downs National Park Conservation Area. REAFE STUDIO was commissioned to sensitively remodel and restore the building, addressing decades of unsympathetic alterations while bringing clarity, proportion and purpose back into the space.

Our brief was two-fold:

• Restore the lost architectural character of the original façade.

• Reconfigure the interior to enhance natural light and create a calm, gallery-like setting in which the owner could display his cherished Alfa Romeo.

THE CHALLENGE

The building had undergone a residential conversion in the 1990s, during which a number of interventions compromised its architectural integrity — including the removal of original brick piers, the introduction of poorly constructed window units, and interior modifications that restricted light and disrupted the building’s flow.

The client sought a design that respected the heritage of Lewes while elevating the building’s usability and restoring its visual coherence. Working within conservation constraints added further complexity, requiring a solution that was both sensitive and transformative.

THE PROCESS

1. Survey & Analysis

We began with a detailed measured survey to understand the building’s construction, proportions and the extent of previous alterations. This allowed us to identify opportunities for reinstatement and refinement.

2. Heritage-Responsive Strategy

Given the prominent location within the Conservation Area, the design strategy centred on reinstating lost detail and enhancing the building’s relationship to the street:

• Repositioning the garage doors to their original, historic location.

• Rebuilding the missing brick piers to reinstate symmetry and structural clarity.

• Opening up the frontage with heritage-inspired double doors to introduce light and presence.

3. Material & Architectural Expression

To re-establish architectural integrity, we proposed:

• replacing the later additions — modern windows of poor construction — with a design aligned to the building’s original proportions and materiality

• new Fabco Crittall-style double-glazed windows to restore refinement and rhythm

• repositioned heritage-style gutters and downpipes for improved visual balance

• subtle, contextually appropriate front-elevation lettering referencing the building’s industrial past

4. Internal Reconfiguration

The ground floor, previously divided by awkward walls and an outdated entrance arrangement, was reimagined as an open, generous volume:

• removal of internal walls and the existing entrance

• introduction of a bespoke timber and glass dividing wall, designed specifically to showcase the Alfa Romeo

• improved material palette and lighting to bring softness, proportion and clarity to the space

This approach delivers a modern interior defined by calm lines, warm materials and strong visual hierarchy.

THE OUTCOME

The approved design restores the dignity and presence of the original industrial structure while creating a contemporary living environment with architectural depth.

• The façade has regained its symmetry, material quality and historic character.

• The new entrance and window composition bring natural light and a renewed sense of order.

• The interior transformation creates a bright, restrained space that functions as both a home and a display environment.

• Each intervention respects the heritage of Lewes while introducing modern clarity and craftsmanship.

Completion is scheduled for Summer 2026.

Contact REAFE STUDIO