January was a busy month with the ongoing renovation of Cobdown House with plasterers, chippies and decorators moving from room to room. We had the huge HVAC systems lifted up and over the house, and exciting and quirky discoveries as we continue to remove the 1950s and 1970s ‘modernisations’.

One of our biggest headaches was installing three huge HVAC (Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning) units. To be hidden away we had to place on a purpose built platform in a courtyard area, but too heavy to move without damaging them. In the pouring rain the three main HVAC units were lifted up & over the house and into the courtyard. The HVAC was and is one of the most complicated parts of the renovation. The old boilers in the basement looked like the engine room of the Titanic. Great for blasting out heat, but little else. The new system will allow ambient temperature all year round.

One of the big recent reveals was discovering the original internal window shutters are still there. We believed these were lost but were found after work under the floorboards revealed all were still there, and in perfect condition having been boarded up early in the house’s history. This was exciting as much of the original features of this beautiful house have been lost over the years.

Other quirky discoveries include doorways to nowhere, such as this recent discovery below. And on clearing away years of growth in outbuildings more original features are uncovered including a missing back room.

The rebuild continues inside and out in earnest managed by Advo’s Cricket Brookfield. Cobdown House is on track to open mid-year as a business ‘hub’ for Kent. More on this very soon!