Toolerstone, a historic family home in the heart of an idyllic Cheshire estate, has undergone a remarkable transformation in the last few years..

The pool room, originally built in 2006, has now evolved into a not-for-profit ‘creative escape’ for hundreds of care workers.

After transforming the large glass room into a workshop in 2021, the staff at Toolerstone in Sandiway faced a number of challenges.

They struggled to keep the space at a comfortable temperature with heating and air conditioning units due to fluctuating levels throughout the year. They were also plagued by the glare during summer workshops.

Toolerstone Estate Manager, Mark Burgess, recognised the need to address the complex dynamics of the ‘glass classroom’ on the estate thought to date back to 1640.

He said: “We needed to find an insulation solution that wouldn’t compromise the steel structure of the building, or remove too much light, as we knew we would eventually be turning the space back into a swimming pool area.”

This led Mark and his team to explore insulation options that could regulate temperature and moisture levels while seamlessly integrating with the existing structure. Last July (2023) he found Conservatory Insulations (CI) and embarked on a journey to find the perfect balance between functionality and aesthetics.

One of the primary challenges faced was the substantial 20m x 7m space, and the race against time to complete the project as classes were set to resume in a few weeks.

Two CI fitters took four days to complete the installation with the patented C.H.R.I.S^Ⓡ system, which uses a six-layer quilt, inspired by NASA technology, to ensure conservatories remain useable all year round.

Mark said: “The room is a much more comfortable temperature throughout the year now and we no longer have to run the heating or air-con for long periods.

“So much natural light still enters the room but now we no longer face the problem with glare that we once had.”

Rob Grady, who fitted the system, said: “We managed to work around the expensive gallery lighting on the workshop roof to install our specialist internal finish boards.

“These were great for the workshop because they are specifically designed to reflect 90 per cent of light, making it perfect for an art studio.”