SHOWCASE Pontcanna House gets an ultra-modern facelift by Glen Thomas Architecture

Glen Thomas Architecture wanted to have as much direct sunlight entering the new rear extension as possible. To achieve this, they constructed a narrow circular steel column inside the house, which allowed for an external wrap-around glazing solution, and they added full-height sliding aluminium frame glass doors

PONTCANNA HOUSE

Take a look inside Pontcanna House, a Victorian property which has been given a modernisation makeover Words by Evelyn Green Photography by Richard Wood

Radical and unashamedly contemporary are probably not the words you would normally apply to a Victorian property, but in the case of Pontcanna House, you can feel free to. The semi-detached home in, you guessed it, Pontcanna, has been given a modern overhaul by Penylanbased architectural design company Glen

Thomas Architecture (GTA).

“The new owners wanted a complete modernisation of the rear of the property by removing the additions to the house such as a lean-to and a conservatory,” says

Glen Thomas who runs GTA, which specialises in contemporary extensions, contextual one-off designs, newbuild houses and multiple-house developments. “Alongside this, they wished for a sympathetic total refurbishment of the interior and a loft conversion. We embraced the challenge of designing clean, bright, sharp spaces while conserving and respecting the history of the original structure.” n

For more: www.glenthomasarchitecture.co.uk

It was important for the kitchen to be seen as part of the fabric of the house, so GTA (with the help of Welsh manufacturer Sigma3 Kitchens) designed white, handleless furniture, and the tall units were buried into the wall. A three-metre island with a solid oak breakfast bar became the focus of the social, well-used space, with dual aspects through the main core of the property and to the dining/living areas

Circulation and clear sight lines are critical to all of GTA’s work. To achieve an uncluttered view that gave an honest sense of scale, walls were removed through the length of the ground fl oor. Crittall-style industrial glass doors were installed to allow the rooms to be shut off from sound and smell while still allowing light to fl ood the otherwise dark central rooms

A minimal colour palette was adopted, and huge ‘concrete’ grey porcelain fl oor tiles were added

Simplicity combined with the richness of the restored original brick chimney breast and solid oak clad beams gave the bedroom area a tranquil, intimate atmosphere

Sister Aelred, centre, of The Poor Clares of Arundel

SISTER ACT A community of nuns bring ancient music to the 21st century. Here we speak to Sister Aelred Casey, from Cardiff, about the new album

In October, The Poor Clares of Arundel – a community of nuns – were signed by Decca Records and released their debut album Light for the World, a soundtrack produced for the headphone generation. Their ancient plainchant music has been sonically designed with added modern beats as the ultimate spiritual antidote to the stresses for modern life.

How did the record deal come about? In the spring of 2019, we received an email from musician and composer James Morgan. He and his wife were looking for a religious community who would collaborate with them to make an album for Decca Records. The idea was that traditional plainchant would be sung by us, with a modern musical backing added. This kind of music was a new concept for us, and the notion that our singing could ever be good enough for the prestigious Decca label seemed so fanciful as to be funny!

“Our music could reach perhaps millions of people”

© CHRIS O’DONOVAN TOM LEWIS, CO-MD AT DECCA RECORDS “The magical, calming qualities of Gregorian Chant regularly re-emerge and enjoy worldwide popularity. It is music that soothes something ancient within us all. And, with the world facing so many concurrent challenges, it’s no accident that chant is back again.

When we first heard the demos from The Poor Clares of Arundel, we were transfixed. Theirs is a brand-new approach, perfectly designed for the headphone-wearing masses looking for a moment of escape.”

What happened from there? The idea could have died the death there and then, but one sensible sister suggested that as James lived not far away, why not ask him to come ‘incognito’ to evening prayer one night and see what he thought. If it was not going to work, he could go away without further questions. He didn’t go away.

So your arms were twisted? The idea that the music could reach perhaps millions of people was the deciding factor.

Could you tell us your story of joining the Poor Clares? I joined straight from Grammar School. I had known since I was quite small that this was what I wanted to do. I’ve lived this life for nearly 60 years now, and it has been all I hoped for and more, though tough sometimes.

What’s your typical day? It begins at 5.30am and ends at 8.30pm. It’s balanced between work, prayer, reading and relaxation. We have a large and lovely garden. We aim at a prayerful silence, with the idea being that our minds and hearts are free for communion with God. At lunch and supper we are read to, and we can suggest books – it’s one of my favourite moments in the day. We end the day with night prayer, a lovely time where everything we have lived that day is given to God.

Tell us about your memories of growing up in Cardiff… My dad’s family, the Caseys, were from Splott. He was one of seven, and his three sisters taught in St Alban’s school. I think they were a bit of an institution! Mum hailed from Canton. My parents lived first in Cyncoed and then moved to Penarth where my dad was headmaster of St Joseph’s Primary School. We loved Penarth, swimming in the rain, cycling to Lavernock after school, and collecting primroses along the Sully Road. When Dad got the headship of a big new school in Lancashire when I was 11, and we moved up North, I felt a huge inner loss that I could not put into words. I grieved for my Welsh roots. That love for Wales will never go away, and I thank God for it. n

Light for the World by the Poor Clares of Arundel is out now on Decca Records; www.decca.com