Abney Park Chapel

At Abney Park Chapel, core members of the design team (MFA and The Morton Partnership) were faced with a very limited budget to repair and stabilise the building and to make it publicly accessible following extended period of closure following vandalism.

Abney Mortuary Chapel dates from 1839 and was designed by William Hosking in early English Gothic style. This Grade-II listed heritage asset had been identified by Historic England as Heritage at Risk and it was voted by the Victorian Society as being one of the top ten most endangered buildings in 2014. 

MFA were appointed in 2015 to join the project team to repair the roof, rainwater goods, drainage and the 120-foot steeple. Working closely alongside the Morton partnership, MFA prepared tender documentation and specifications for the repairs based on detailed survey work.  MFA also worked closely with the contractors and park rangers to devise a highly  creative and cost effective rainwater collection and disposal system which required minimal digging and cost.

These works have now been completed on budget to a high quality and preparation works have commenced for a full Heritage Lottery Fund submission for a more sustainable use of the chapel.  Despite significant logistical constraints of being located in the centre of a cemetery, the project was delivered within programme and budget.

Project Profile available for print and download here