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Landmark Project: The Transformation of Bishop Percy’s House in Bridgnorth

One of Shropshire’s oldest and most iconic buildings, Bishop Percy’s House, has been revitalized thanks to a major renovation. This ambitious project has earned recognition in the prestigious Shropshire Council Conservation and Design Awards, receiving a commendation for its outstanding contribution to building conservation and design.

We spearheaded the careful conversion of this 16th-century half-timbered property on Cartway, transforming it into a charming tea room with holiday apartments above. “The awards celebrate excellence in architecture, urban design, and building conservation in Shropshire, so we are thrilled that Bishop Percy’s House has been acknowledged,” says Vic.

Completed in 2018 after four years of meticulous planning and restoration, the project also included the construction of two contemporary riverside homes, offering a striking contrast to the Grade I listed building.

“Bishop Percy’s House is a prominent town-centre landmark, and we were delighted to breathe new life into it,” Vic adds. “This initiative was significant both for Bridgnorth and our firm, combining the historical refurbishment of the main building with innovative modern designs at the rear. It’s a bold fusion of ancient and contemporary architecture.”

The Project Overview

The Bishop Percy’s House renovation involved several key components:

  1. Sympathetic Refurbishment: The careful restoration of the main historical building, retaining its unique half-timbered structure and period details, while ensuring it meets modern standards.
  2. Innovative New Builds: Two contemporary upside-down homes have been constructed on the riverside plot behind the house, replacing the derelict gymnasium. These new homes are designed to take advantage of elevated views of the river, with large windows and balconies creating a bright, modern living space.
  3. Cottage Restoration: The neighbouring cottage on Cartway has also been restored and converted into a self-contained unit, adding to the development’s overall charm and utility.

Within Bishop Percy’s House, the ground floor now serves as a vibrant tea room, welcoming locals and visitors alike. Above, two stylish holiday apartments offer a comfortable retreat for those looking to immerse themselves in the rich history of Bridgnorth.

A Bold Blend of Ancient and Modern

The design philosophy behind this project was clear: respect the past while embracing the future. Rather than replicating the ancient black-and-white timber-framed style of Bishop Percy’s House, the new homes offer a striking contrast that allows the historic building to remain a standout feature. This deliberate decision ensures that the Grade I listed building continues to dominate the townscape, while the new contemporary homes complement the site without overshadowing its heritage.

The new homes feature a single-aspect design that maximizes the stunning up-river views, bringing a fresh, modern aesthetic to the town. Elevated and upside-down in layout, these homes offer a contemporary living experience while drawing on the area’s heritage, a hallmark of Johnson Design Partnership’s approach to architecture.

Preservation Through Innovation

The Bishop Percy’s House project exemplifies our commitment to preserving Shropshire’s heritage through thoughtful, innovative design. By blending modern elements with the character and history of this significant building, we’ve helped ensure that Bishop Percy’s House will continue to be a focal point for Bridgnorth for generations to come.

This project is a testament to JDP’s expertise in building conservation and architectural innovation, bringing a bold yet respectful approach to the delicate task of preserving Shropshire’s heritage.

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32 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reviews
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I have been involved with Johnson Design Partnership for some time now and my project with them began in March. I have been so impressed, in particular, with architect Matt Spinks, with his/their attention to detail, their inspiring ideas, and their attitude that nothing is ever too much trouble. They deal with things both promptly and efficiently and both myself and my daughter whose property it will be, and also to reside in, are so excited about the finished result.Cannot recommend this amazing company enough. Creating a new build like this, originally stables, can be a stressful time but this most professional company have succeeded in making it less so, Matt is always on the end of the phone or in person when needed. Thank you Johnson Design Partnership!!

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Kim Osborne, Smestow Gate Cottage
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A good Architectural practice, producing aesthetically modern buildings. Keen and enthusiastic, a pleasure to work with.

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David Candlin, Director of Estates for North Shropshire College, Walford and North Shropshire College
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I have now been living for two years in a house designed by Johnson Partnership. Matt Spinks and his team were our main contacts and we were delighted in the way they handled and developed our brief. The test of course is whether the house works as a home in winter and summer. This Johnson design passes the test with flying colours: the house meets all of our requirements for a comfortable, warm, airy and modern home.

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Mr Kitchen, Kinver
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Many thanks to Johnson Design for delivering exactly what we wanted: A bright, flexible, modern space which brings the garden and the lovely views of the upper Corvedale into our home, without losing anything of the character and warmth of our historic stone farmhouse. The family home of nearly 30 years has been greatly enhanced, giving a perfect blend of old and new, and the perfect venue for entertaining and family get-togethers. The extension was the proud focus for our wedding celebration and garden party for more than 100 guests over the Bank Holiday weekend, and bought in more admiring comments than we could count!

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Mr and Mrs Coad - Much Wenlock
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I have recently finished my third project with Johnson Design! Two at my work premises and one residential. Matt Spinks is great to work with and always has great ideas and attention to detail. Will come back for any future projects 🙂

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Lucy LC
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We have used Johnson Design several times and have always found them so helpful, efficient and professional. We are presently using them for a complex multi-building design and Vic has brought such vision and interest to our options. Our views are always taken seriously (something a previous architect we had dealt with didn’t do) making you feel very involved in all designs and decisions.
We would highly recommend this company regardless of how big or small your design is.

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Alison York
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I highly recommend using Vic Johnson and his team at Johnson Design Partnership Limited, who have been appointed to create exciting designs for our new home and to lead the tendering and construction process. Vic and his colleague Becky Bradley have used their considerable depth of knowledge to develop exciting designs and are providing very helpful guidance as required through the decision-making process, whilst also focussing on projected costs and optimising the use of our available budget.

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Adrian
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We would recommend Johnson Design for those wanting to extend their home. They came up with an original concept and layout, moving the stairs was something we’d not even considered but it works really well. They then worked with us to accommodate our ideas, making the design collaborative. They talked us through the various stages of the process and explained everything, also because they handled everything it meant we didn’t need to get involved with the complexities of the planning process.

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Mr and Mrs Clary – Bridgnorth, Shropshire