Blending the Old and the New: Integrating Modern Design into Historic Settings

Owning a historic building is both a privilege and a responsibility. These spaces carry the weight of history — the craftsmanship, the stories, the character — but they also need to function in today’s world.

It’s a common misconception that heritage buildings should be preserved exactly as they are, untouched by modern intervention. In reality, thoughtful updates can breathe new life into historic spaces, making them more sustainable, accessible, and fit for purpose, without erasing their character.

Why modern interventions matter

Historic buildings were rarely designed with today’s needs in mind. They may lack:

• Energy efficiency — poor insulation, draughts, outdated heating systems

• Accessibility — steps instead of ramps, narrow doorways, no lifts

• Modern services — inadequate lighting, wiring, or IT infrastructure

By sensitively integrating modern design, you can:

• Reduce running costs through improved energy performance

• Meet current accessibility standards so more people can enjoy the space

• Support contemporary uses, whether that’s a gallery, workspace, learning centre, or home

Importantly, our historic buildings have survived precisely because generations before us adapted them to suit the needs of their own time. These buildings are living structures — shaped by centuries of continuous use. We can and should continue that tradition, provided our interventions are sensitive and sympathetic.

Principles for a successful blend

1. Understand the context
Every intervention should start with a deep understanding of the building’s history, construction, and significance. This guides what should be preserved, revealed, or adapted.

2. Use complementary materials
New materials don’t need to mimic the old, but they should complement them. For example, a glass extension can allow a historic façade to remain visible, while high-quality timber joinery can reference existing craftsmanship.

3. Choose the right design approach for the context
There’s no single ‘correct’ way to integrate new work into a historic setting. In some cases, a clearly modern intervention can provide a striking and honest contrast. In others, a traditional approach — using materials, detailing, and forms in keeping with the original — may be the most sympathetic option.

The decision should always be guided by the building’s character, significance, and intended use. The most successful projects are those where the new work feels like a natural part of the building’s ongoing story, whether it’s boldly contemporary or seamlessly traditional.

4. Think about longevity
Trends come and go — but your interventions should stand the test of time both aesthetically and technically. Durability is just as important as style.

Examples in practice

A medieval abbey where we inserted a modern-style restaurant into one of the oldest areas. The juxtaposition worked beautifully — the glass walls allowed the historic stone to remain fully visible and made the new intervention feel light and ephemeral, rather than heavy and imposing.

• An Edwardian family home brought up to modern family living standards to suit a young, lively household. Spaces were reconfigured to create open, sociable areas while retaining and celebrating the home’s traditional detailing.

• A masterplan for a listed religious building designed to transform it into an ambitious, forward-thinking community hub. The scheme respected the building’s heritage while creating spaces for a wide range of contemporary uses, ensuring its relevance for generations to come.

A building with a future

A heritage building is at its best when it is used, enjoyed, and cared for. Sensitive modernisation ensures it can be all three.

Just as generations before us left their mark on these buildings — often making subtle changes to keep them relevant and functional — we have the same opportunity today. By working with respect, care, and craftsmanship, we ensure that what we add becomes part of the building’s ongoing story, not a break from it.

We help owners of historic buildings navigate the process of integrating modern design, ensuring every intervention is respectful, functional, and future-proof. If you’re considering updates to your building, let’s explore what’s possible.