WELCOME TO
DINTON CASTLE
Dinton Castle, which is also known as Dinton Folly, is located just north of the village of Dinton in Buckinghamshire and was built by Sir John Vanhatten in 1769 as an eyecatcher from Dinton Hall. He used the Folly to store his collection of fossils in the limestone walls.
It has recently been restored into a two bedroom home giving it a new lease of life and ensuring its long-term survival as a well-loved local landmark and unique Heritage Asset.
The story of its restoration has been documented on the new series of Grand Designs 2018
THE RESTORATION PROCESS
The success of the intervention has been to effectively link innovating technologies in synergy with the restoration process. The 3D laser scan used originally to assess building pathologies, turned out to be the most useful tool for the design and manufacturing process, enabling structural and joinery parts to be manufactured with millimetric precision.
As Purchased
The Grade II* listed ruin was bought in February 2016 with the purpose of giving it a new lease of life as a two bedroom home. Without such an intervention, the Folly would have continued to deteriorate and probably would not still be existing within a generation or two. However, the purchase was not made without substantial risks.
Restoration Works
The restoration was completed using traditional and rigorous restoration techniques but also innovative solutions.
3D Laser Scan Technology
Used to reduce the time and cost of the production of bespoke joinery parts, staircases or stonecraft with milimetrical precision.
Completed Project
The result of the challenging restoration of Dinton Castle has been to safeguard and protect the future of this historic jewel.
All the work and effort has produced a unique and beautiful home and ensures that the Castle maintains its place as a much-loved landmark and Heritage Asset for many years to come.
Place of Inspiration
The Folly has permanently been a place for artistic inspiration for many artists
PHOTO GALLERY
ARCHITECT JAIME FERNANDEZ
The main focus for myself as an architect and lover of the unique is to respect, enhance and preserve the special historic and aesthetic character of Historic Buildings while ensuring the practicality for those who will eventually inhabit them.
Jaime Fernández – Jimmy
Completed bachelor degree in Architecture in 2007 graduating from University Camilo José Cela in Madrid (Spain)
I trained as an architect in Madrid whilst working alongside my father in his architectural firm. I learned the complexity of managing an architectural business from the initial design stages to the completion of the build. Once I had graduated I lead a team of eight architects within the firm. As a non-specialized practice, my team was involved in projects ranging from industrial to residential, single family homes to large apartment buildings as well as urban master plans throughout Spain.
In 2010, I set up my own refurbishment business in Madrid before moving to the UK in 2014. Before taking on the challenge of restoring Dinton Folly, I converted an Old Baptist Church Hall into a beautiful four bedroom home.
My work involves the creative and pragmatic reuse of traditional and historic buildings, offering specialist independent advice on sustainable conservation.
