Over the past 12 years Appleyards has helped Chatham Historic Dockyard Trust to conserve some of its most prestigious Scheduled Ancient Monuments and deliver its vision to create a world class visitor attraction, one of the most popular in Kent.

Appleyards latest project at The Historic Dockyard Chatham was to save one of the South East’s most historic and significant industrial maritime buildings and convert it into multi-faceted treasure house. The £13 million project involved an emergency stabilisation project to make the building safe and weather tight, in readiness for the restoration and conversion project which Appleyards managed. The mission was to construct modern spaces without compromising the original architecture. The aim was to make the resulting series of high tech display galleries, arts exhibition spaces, education areas and storage vaults fit into the original building and allow the visitors to appreciate the building to its full industrial roots.

At a critical stage of the project the main contractor went into administration but with a predetermined contingency plan, Appleyards was able to steer and help the Trust through a very difficult time. A competitively sourced completion contractor was quickly appointed, title issues sorted out and project delivery plan changed so that the project could be delivered to the original completion date and within budget.

No.1 Smithery now houses over 3,000 model ships, showcases unique and previously unseen maritime artefacts from the Imperial War Museum and the National Maritime Museum as well as national and international touring art. A vast array of interactive learning spaces ensure that this is a family friendly destination that will inspire all age groups. Stephen Prowse, Associate Director, Appleyards commented:

"No. 1 Smithery has been an inspiring project to be involved with and Appleyards is delighted to have worked with such a dedicated team of contractors and the stakeholders of the Chatham Historic Dockyard Trust and its partners. What has made the project such a success is being able to retain many of the main features of the external fabric of the Monument whilst incorporating modern design elements in the interior. For example, the ‘boxes’ effect – a building within a building, provides the critical dry and safe environment necessary for the national collections."

The Historic Dockyard Chatham is a treasure in itself offering a significant and exceptionally well preserved history of the Age of Sail. Not only this, but the 80 acre site has also been used for a variety of film and TV productions including; The Golden Compass, The Mummy and Foyles War (television drama).