Award winning restoration

In February 1994 Jon Maine bought a late 17th century wool merchant's house. It had been identified as a building at risk both by Mendip Council and English Heritage for some considerable time and figured on both of their building at risk registers. Jon planned to conserve and restore the derelict house into a comfortable family home using traditional materials and skills but also incorporating modern technology. The environmental considerations of all decisions made during the project were fully assesed.

Ten years after purchasing the property work began on the exterior of the building. By June 2005 the shell of the building was completed into a wind and water tight building again and celebrated with a topping out ceremony before the scaffolding which had shrouded the building for three and a half years was removed.

When the shell was completed the process of restoring the inside began. Jon chose to use Treatex^® Hardwax Oil Traditional to finish his floors, doors, door frames, stairs, newels, kitchen cabinets, bathroom cabinets and internal window cills. When quizzed about his choice of wood finish Jon explained "We chose Treatex because it was recommended as being a durable product. We saw samples of the finish and were very impressed and felt it would fit in with the overall high standard of finish we wanted to achieve. Also as the property is a traditional building we have used traditional finishes and products throughout which means we have no modern volatile paint or finishes within the property thus making the house a safer environment to live in. The incidence of asthma and allergies tends to be higher in modern homes which are full of volatile paints and finishes which was an important consideration for us that fell in line with using both green and traditional products."

In September 2008 the work was completed so that Jon could move in.

Jon made himself a promise some 16 years ago to save the building. He also had other objectives, to create a family home and showcase what it is possible to achieve on such a building to encourage others and also to maybe make a living at something he is good at. Well he achieved all three, as reinforced by the several awards received. During August 2008 he received the news that he had won a full award in the William Stansell award for building conservation from the Somerset Building preservation trust. In April 2009 he received a special award from Mendip Council in their Built in Quality awards. On May 20th 2009 the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) awarded Jon a highly commended in their conservation category and Project of the year in the South West. This saw him compete against projects like St Paul's Cathedral in London during October at the RICS national awards but sadly he did not win at national level, but still it was an honour to be the small local builder up against such prestigious projects. In June 2009 the Wood awards shortlisted Jon with only two other projects nationally. At the October awards ceremony The Merchants House received The National Conservation Award for 2009, see all award winners.

For further information about The Merchants House project visit Jon's website.