Breathing New Life into St Cadoc’s Church
Nestled at the heart of Caerleon, once the mighty Roman fortress of Isca, stands St Cadoc’s Church, a proud Norman treasure that has watched over the town for nearly a thousand years. Its stones have heard centuries of footsteps and whispered prayers, echoing through time.
Now, after a remarkable transformation, St Cadoc’s is writing a new chapter—one where ancient beauty meets cutting-edge sustainability.
Early in 2024, the great doors of the church closed quietly for what would be a season of renewal. Under the expert eye of Caroe & Partners, specialists in historic architecture, the project began with a bold vision: to preserve the past while paving the way to a net zero future.
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A Team of Modern Craftsmen
Behind the scaffolding and dust sheets, a skilled team gathered to bring this vision to life. Davlan Construction took the lead as main contractor, while Allied Mechanical Engineering Ltd oversaw the intricate mechanical and electrical works. For the all-important heating — the lifeblood of comfort in such a vast stone space — JUPITER Heating Systems was brought on board.
With over twenty years of experience warming historic churches, Jupiter designed, supplied, and installed a bespoke underfloor heating system, complete with a new plant room and advanced air source heat pumps. The goal was simple yet ambitious: to wrap the ancient fabric of St Cadoc’s in invisible, efficient warmth.
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Harnessing the Air – The Heat Pump Story
In the shadow of the church, among the gravestones and trees, two quietly powerful MasterTherm 35 kW air source heat pumps now hum away—the unseen heart of this renewal.
Because of archaeological sensitivities, they couldn’t sit close to the building. Instead, they were nestled carefully within the cemetery, linked to the church by a trench that was dug with the precision of an archaeologist’s trowel. Every inch of soil was treated with respect.
Each heat pump rests within a handsome timber enclosure, its design both practical and sympathetic to the historic surroundings. The ‘hit & miss’ cladding allows air to flow freely while softening the mechanical hum to a whisper.
The Czech-made MasterTherm units are marvels of modern engineering. They constantly adjust the temperature of the water circulating beneath the stone floors, responding to the weather outside. When frost bites, they work a little harder; when spring sunshine filters through the stained glass, they rest. The result is a consistent, comfortable warmth that feels utterly natural.
MasterTherm 35 kW Air Source Heat Pumps
Connected to the internet, the heat pumps can be monitored remotely, technology quietly serving tradition. It’s a partnership that ensures efficiency, care for the fabric of the building, and peace of mind for the custodians of St Cadoc’s.
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Warmth from the Ground Up
Underfloor heating is, quite simply, the perfect match for buildings like St Cadoc’s. In a space where ceilings soar heavenward, radiant warmth from the floor ensures comfort remains where it’s needed most, around the congregation, not lost to the rafters.
Advantage of Radiant over Convection Heating
Unlike conventional radiators, which send heat up only for it to drift uselessly towards the roof, the underfloor system at St Cadoc’s delivers a steady, even warmth that rises gently to about two and a half metres, enough to fill the nave with quiet comfort.
JUPITER Ideal EPS System
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The JUPITER Difference
To protect the church’s delicate archaeology, Jupiter installed its unique dry system, chosen by the architects specifically for its minimal impact. Traditional limecrete floors can take months to cure, time that St Cadoc’s could not afford. JUPITER’s dry system, by contrast, was installed and ready for its stone finish in just three and a half weeks.
Instead of tonnes of wet screed, Jupiter used a precise layering of foam glass aggregate and ceramic levelling material, topped with 18 mm interlocking ceramic tiles that act as a screed replacement. This design not only speeds up installation but also improves heat performance, cutting energy use and enhancing comfort.
Dry Levelling
Screed Replacement Tile System
Once the Screed Replacement Tile system had cured (a process taking only 36 hours) the new stone floor could be laid. The results were seamless: no movement joints were required across the floor’s 500 m² surface, allowing the magnificent in-laid stone labyrinth at the centre of the church to remain perfectly unbroken.
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A New Warmth in Ancient Walls
Today, as sunlight filters once again through the stained glass windows, the transformation feels complete. The flagstones beneath your feet are warm to the touch; the air inside the nave carries a gentle, even warmth that feels as natural as it is sustainable.
St Cadoc’s Church now stands as a shining example of how heritage and innovation can coexist, where modern technology breathes quiet life into ancient stone, and where history itself feels just a little warmer.
St. Cadoc’s Church New Floor!
