Sustainable design for today and future generations
RECLAIMED MATERIALS. LOCAL TIMBER. SYMPATHETIC RESTORATIONS
Building Design
- New build
- Conversion
- Restoration
Planning
- Green belt
- Listed building
- Conservation area
- AONB
Restoration
- Timber frame
- Damp
- Structural issues
About us
In 1842 Sir Edward Bulwer Lytton, prolific author of 'The Last Days Of Pompeii' and creator of the phrase, 'The Pen Is Mightier Than The Sword' wrote the first acknowledged science fiction novel, 'The Coming Race'. In this seminal work, he presented for the first time a mystical electrical power which he called 'Vril'.
Three years later Bovril was launched to a bemused world. Named after 'bo' for bovine and 'vril' for the power and surge or spark of energy in Lytton's novel.
In the mid 1800s using funds from the success of his literary sensations he extended the 17th century woodman's cottage on the edge of the lake in the middle of Knebworth Park, the estate he had inherited from his mother. He did this to create an ideal tranquil environment where he could retire to write.
This cottage is the home of Ecovril - where a unique team formed with a passion for traditional methods mixed with new to give the best of both worlds in planning, design and restoration in sympathy with the existing immediate environment which is considered at all times.
Built from Knebworth oak, extended by Bulwer Lytton, rescued and restored by Andy Singleton, again using timber from the same woods, it represents a perfect example of our ethos.
So… Eco for ecology and Vril for a spark of energy.
Testimonials
"We came across Ecovril as a recommendation. Our aim was to take an old stone barn on our land and convert it sympathetically into an ice cream parlour. This all sounds very simple and straight forward, but the barn and land surrounding it just happens to be in the Yorkshire Dales National Park, which has notoriously difficult planning regulations and requirements
Andy was a great choice having gained a lifetime of experience working with Yorkshire Dales stone barns and eventually co-writing a book about the Barns of the Yorkshire Dales.
Ours is a very long and complicated story, but the important part is that Andy and Chau of Ecovril have been excellent in every way, even down to providing moral support and keeping us positive when the whole planning situation was looking very bleak indeed. They have provided us with the technical information we needed, helped us to obtain legal advice from experts, created plans and drawings, had excellent ideas, and all in all helped us reach a very positive conclusion.
After a long and persistent battle, between us all, and their were a few of us involved, we have won the day."
Barn conversion planning permission,
Yorkshire Dales National Park
"I'd highly recommend Ecovril.
They were very helpful in explaining he planning process and negotiating listed buildings regulations,and kept me well informed on the application's progress through the local council's antiquated system.
They went above expectations with advice on budget, building materials and timescales and were invaluable to the whole project."
Grade I listed building restoration,
London
"When we were looking to renovate the dovecote we needed to ensure its future by making it useful while at the same time being sympathetic to both environment and history.
We found that Ecovril had both the knowledge and skills to realise that dream and having done a fantastic job on the planning side, we look forward to working with them on completing the project."
Grade II planning application & restoration, Putteridgebury
Other News
At Ecovril we love variety - the spice of life! Why not add one of our publications to your bookshelf? Full of inspiration and entertainment!
Read about the history and restoration of the iconic stone barns of the Yorkshire Dales, written by our very own conservation building specialist, Andy Singleton
If you enjoyed the barns book with Andy's quick wit and sense of humour, you'll love his first published novel.
A fictional crime novel like no other ... a rollercoaster rollocking read, not for the faint hearted. You wont want to put it down!
*rated age 18
