The Old Forge, Chenies: A Nearly Two-Decade Transformation

Studio Basheva featured in The Wall Street Journal — March 2024

When Stephanie and Robert Grundy purchased their four-bedroom worker's cottage in the village of Chenies, 24 miles northwest of London, they didn't anticipate that the ramshackle building next door would capture their imagination for nearly two decades. But it did.

The former village forge — dilapidated, roof falling in, walls unstable, and heavily overgrown with vines — stood as a quiet reminder of a bygone era. Visitors would inevitably ask about it. And those questions planted a seed.

The Long Game

Robert Grundy, a semi-retired chartered surveyor, learned that the forge dated from the 1840s and had once been used for smelting metal and shoeing horses. By the time he arrived in the village, it had been repurposed as an electricity substation.

In 2004, he successfully negotiated its purchase from the power company for approximately £154,000 — with the additional commitment to buy and contribute to building a new substation nearby, adding another £51,000 to the investment.

Then came the 2007–2008 financial crisis. "I had a busy life, busy career and I just did not get around to it," Grundy reflected. It wasn't until 2016 that the project finally began to take shape.

Bringing in Studio Basheva

Grundy engaged Studio Basheva's founder and director, Kathy Basheva, to bring his vision to life. Her brief was clear: create something exciting with the space — a dwelling, an entertaining space, and a building that respected the historic character of the village.

"I really wanted to bring the building back to life," said Grundy. Kathy's response was to lean into the building's industrial heritage. The twin furnaces and arched chimney became the defining feature of the open-plan living space rather than obstacles to be removed. A mezzanine room, accessed by a metal spiral staircase, was added above one of the bedrooms to increase floor space.

The Transformation

Work began in April 2019 — and it started with the essentials. New black-painted steel trusses replaced rotten wooden beams. The slate roof was replaced. Crumbling exterior walls were repaired, with the back wall partially dismantled to leave the furnaces and chimney standing. Rusting windows were replaced with powder-coated steel models, and the building grew from 915 to 1,238 square feet.

The result is a contemporary home that honours its industrial past while embracing modern living. Bifold doors open to a paved backyard. An air-source heat pump provides sustainable energy, while two wood burners — fitted into the original furnaces — add warmth and character.

The décor is simple and largely monochrome: white walls, an almost-black kitchen with off-white composite stone worktops, exposed brickwork, and a taupe en-suite bathroom with a walk-in shower and black glass wall. The main living area features three modern chandeliers and a sound system that, as Grundy puts it, can make the place "rock."

A Passion Project

Work was completed in November 2022. Including landscaping, the project cost approximately $707,000. Grundy is realistic about the financial return. "I couldn't possibly recommend anybody do a project like this thinking they are going to make money," he said. "But I did it because I really wanted to save the building."

Today, the forge offers flexible possibilities — guest accommodation, parties, long-term rental, vacation letting, or even a future home for the family.

Why This Project Matters

At Studio Basheva, we believe architecture is more than creating buildings — it is the craft of shaping how people live, interact, and feel within a space. The Old Forge project embodies this philosophy. It demonstrates how thoughtful design can breathe new life into forgotten structures while respecting their history and context. It proves that patience, vision, and collaboration can transform an eyesore into something extraordinary.

Read the full feature in The Wall Street Journal (March 14, 2024).