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c o n t e n t s

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COVER STORY: Reachingthepinnacle.ThestoryofthesuccessfulrestorationofoneofEngland’sfinestmedievalchurchesbymasonryandbuildingconservationspecialistsMaysand – Page 7

NEWS4 Historicbuildingrescuesslowed

byrecession

AUDIO VISUAL4 Bettertobeheardandseen

PERIOD PROPERTIES9 Thebenefitsofusingthecorrect

materialsfortraditionalbuildings13 Awindowonhistory

STONE18 Celebratingexcellenceinnatural

stonecraftsmanship

GLASS29 Illuminatinghistoryforovera

thousandyears

METAL ROOFING31 Repeattheftsleadtoalternatives

LIGHTNING PROTECTION32 Achievingnewheightsinspecialist

training-theSteeplejackand LightningProtectionTraining Group

DIGITAL SURVEYS34 Laserscannercomesintoitsown

forheritagework

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Better to be heard and seenDAN GOLDSTEIN of InfoComm International explains how certified AV professionals can improve the usability of historic churches, without compromising their infrastructure

n Whenweheartheword‘audiovisual’weoftenthinkofthingshi-tech:digitalvideoprojectors,plasmascreens,surround-

soundspeakersystemsandsoforth.Atfirstglance,thesearenottechnologieswhichwouldseemtohavemuchtoofferhistoricbuildings–notleastbecausetheir‘lookandfeel’aresooftenatoddswithtraditionalarchitecture.

Yettheideathataudiovisualor‘AV’technologyhastobeuglytobefunctionalissomethingofamisconception.Manymanufacturersnowofferproductsthatarenotout-of-placeinhistoricbuildings,eitherbecausetheyhavebeenadaptedtomatchtheprevailingaestheticmood,orbecausetheyareeasytoconceal.ThetrickistoensurethattheAVsystemisproperlydesignedtomatchtheuser’sneeds,andsympatheticallyinstalled.Inthisrespect,itisvitaltoensurethatabuilding’sAVsupplierisexperiencedandqualifiedtotacklethejobinhand.

Audio: making sense of the acoustic mazeOneofthebiggestproblemsencounteredinhistoricbuildings

suchaschurchesisintelligibility–ensuringthatthespeaker’svoicecanbeheardclearlyineverycorneroftheroomorhall.

Theloudspeakersthemselvesneednotappearout-of-place.Manyareavailableincustompaintfinishestoensurethatthey‘blendin’withtheirenvironment,whileotherscanbeconcealedwithinpictureframesorbehindfurniture,withnolossofaudioclarity.Andbesides,moderntechnologyhasallowedthespeakerenclosuresthemselvestobecomeslimmerandmorecompact,sotheyareeasierto‘makeroomfor’aswellasbeingmorediscreet.

Tohelpneutralisetheeffectsofthechallengingacousticsthatareacharacteristicofhistoricbuildings,amodernAVsystemwillalsoincludesomeformofdigitalsignalprocessing(DSP)whichwillcompensateforunwantedechoesandotherartefacts.This,togetherwithcorrectloudspeakerpositioning,helpsthoseleadingachurchservice,forexample,toensurethattheirmessageisheardclearlyinallcornersofthebuilding.

Video: making sure that even the back rows can see

Ifsound-reinforcementsystemshavebeenapartofthechurchsceneforawhile–albeitinlimitedforminmanycases–videoisamorerecentarrival.Yetcongregationsatmanyofthelargerplacesofworshiparealreadyreapingthebenefitsofproperlyinstalledvideosystems.Discreetlypositionedcameras,similartothoseusedinCCTVsystems,canbeinstalledandtheirsignalstransmittedtoflat-panelscreensdistributedinthoseareaswherecongregantshavelittleorno‘lineofsight’totheserviceproceedings.

Liketheiraudiocounterparts,thesevideoproductsdonothavetodetractfromthevisualappealofahistoricchurch.Becausemodernscreensaremuchslimmerthan‘old-fashioned’TVs,theycanbeflush-mountedonwallsorcolumns,andevenswungupout-of-sightwhennotinuse–thankstothehugevarietyofelegantmountingsolutionsthathavebecomeavailableoverthepastfewyears.

AudiovisualHistoric building rescues slowed by recession

New

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n TheHeritageatRiskRegister2010,publishedrecentlybyEnglishHeritage,showsasignificantslow-downinthenumber

ofGradeIandII*buildingsbeingsavedfromneglectanddecay,promptingfearsthatEnglandmightlosetheverythingwhichmakesitmostspecialintheeyesoftheworld.

Between1999and2007,thenumberofGradeIandII*buildingsontheHeritageatRiskRegisterfellby17%butsincethentherehasbeennopercentagechangeinthenumbercomingofftheRegisterafterbeingrescued.In1999,oneinsixbuildingsonthe‘atrisk’registerwasfullyeconomictorepair.Now,11yearson,itisjustoneineight.

DrSimonThurley,ChiefExecutiveofEnglishHeritage,said:“Inthecurrentuncertainclimate,EnglishHeritagehastwovitalcontributionstomake.FirstisourHeritageatRiskprogrammeitself.Itgivesaccurateinformationabouttheconditionoflocalneighbourhoodsandencouragespeopletobecomeactivelyinvolvedinrestoringwhatisprecioustothem.

“Secondisourgrantsandexpertise.Whereprivateinvestorswon’tventure,wheredevelopershavewalkedawayandwherepublicbodieshaveotherpriorities,itisoftenonlyanEnglishHeritagegrant,coupledwithourworld-leadingexpertise,whichcansaveabuildingfrombeinglost.Ourbudgetstoowillbeunderpressure,butwewilldoallwecantocontinuetoprovidealife-lineforthenation’spast.TheHeritageLotteryFundisalsoofenormousbenefittobuildingsandotherheritagesiteswhichareopentothepublicandwearedelightedtheGovernmentintendstorestoreitsshareofLotteryincome.”q

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InfoComm'scertificationsaretheonlyAVcredentialstoachieveaccreditationthroughtheInternationalOrganisationofStandardisation(ISO)andtheInternationalElectrotechnicalCommission(IEC)ISO/IEC17024certificationofpersonnel.

InfoComm’sCTSprogramme*Assessesindividualsagainstpeer-developedstandardsof competencies*Providesanassessment(exam)thatisindependentofany specificcourseorcurriculum*Providesacredentialthatistimelimited*Enhancescontinuedcompetencythroughongoingrenewal requirements*Requiresadherencetoacodeofethics

Forendcustomers,CTScertificationprovidesevidencethattheholderisapractisingAVprofessionalwithprovencompetenciesindesigning,specifying,installingandmaintainingaudiovisualsystemstothehigheststandards.q

Control: making systems easy to useAproperlyinstalledAVsystem,whilemakingthebestuseofthe

latesttechnology,willbedesignedinsuchawaythatitislargelyinvisibletotheuser.Thereisnothingtobeafraidof.Manyofthefunctionsareautomated–forexample,ifaCDorDVDisplayed,thesignalwillbesenttothebuilding’sspeakersandscreenswithoutanymanualswitching.

Wheresomemanualselectionisrequired–forexample,toselectadifferentacousticprocessingsettingtoreflecttheimpactofalargercongregation–thiscanbedonebythesimplepressofabuttononthelectern,mostcommonlyfittednexttothemicrophone.

InfoCommInternationalistheworld’slargestprofessionalbodyrepresentingtheAVcommunity.ThroughitsCTScertificationprogramme,itseekstoensurethatthosewhobuyAVsystems–ownersandmanagersofhistoricbuildingsamongthem–receiveasystemthatmeetstheirneeds,thatisproperlyaccountedforandthatiscorrectlymaintained.

CTS: a globally recognised certification ofexcellence in AV

InfoCommhasoffereditsCTS(CertifiedTechnologyProfessional)programmeformorethan30years,andeveryyearcertifiesmorequalifiedAVprofessionalsthananyoneelse.

St Peters – Clarity in Communicationn St Peters Free Church in Dundee has a rich heritage for

impacting Christianity starting with the highly effective and well known Minister Robert Murray McCheyne (1813-1843). McCheyne’s ministry in St Peter’s was innovative and radical. He built around himself a group of leaders who initiated a new work which was largely unhindered by the then more traditional perspective. He saw the prime need of the area as evangelism and he acted accordingly. He was concerned that the services should be as attractive as possible and did his utmost to ensure that the singing was melodious and enthusiastic. He started psalmody classes and sometimes even led the singing himself. His preaching was simple, seeking deliberately to keep his speech plain and to use plenty of word pictures, communicating to the broadest possible congregation. Following in the footsteps of this enthusiasm the current minister David

Robertson and his team embarked on a considerable renovation of the building and its presentation capabilities to again “communicate to the broadest congregation”. This was to be a community relevant project whilst revitalising and retaining the traditional rich heritage of the church. Through in depth project team dialogue the Pro Audio and Audio Visual systems needed to meet a number of architectural requirements whilst still obtaining the technical requirement to budget. It was also a primary requirement that non technical users be able to operate both systems which was achieved through a touch button control system. All is well at St Peter`s as the renovation is complete and the project fulfils its purposes in the community – Clarity in Communication.

All Pro Audio and Audio Visual Solutions provided by d3 Audio & Visual Ltd. www.d3av.co.uk q

Audiovisual

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Reaching the pinnacle

n Successfulrestorationprojectsdon’tjusthappen–theyoftenrequireapartnershipapproachbetweenthearchitectandthe

craftsmen.That’swhathappenedatStMary’sChurchinNantwich.Thechurch

iswidelyacknowledgedtobeoneofthefinestmedievalchurchesinEngland.It’scertainlyoneofthegreatarchitecturaltreasuresofCheshireattractingsome50,000visitorsayear.

TheGradeIlistedbuildingiscruciforminshapewithalargeoctagonaltowerbuiltinredsandstone.Thechurchboastsarare14thCenturystonepulpitandchancelwith‘lierne’vaulting,intricatelycarvedstonecrocketedgables,andhighlydecorativebuttressesandpinnacles.

The9-monthrestorationprojectcarriedoutbyRoytonbasedconservationspecialistsMaysand(www.maysand.co.uk)includedexternalfaçadeworktothewestelevation,includingthereplacementofthepinnacles,andsouthclerestory.

Tragically,thechurcharchitectAnthonyBlacklaydiedduringthecourseoftheproject,butevenwhenhewasseriouslyillheensuredthejobwashandedoversafely.Hiswisheswerecarriedoutandtheresultisalastingtributetoallinvolved.

“AllthemasonryworkhadtomatchtheexistingMottledHollingtonsandstoneandpointingwasmadewithacompatiblelimemortarmix,asaresultofamortaranalysistest.Repointingwasalsocompletedusinghandheldnon-mechanicalmasonrytools,”saysMickFowles,Maysand’smasonrysurveyor.

“BecauseStMary’sissuchalandmarkitwasclearlyaveryprestigiousandinterestingprojectforMaysand.Butwhatmakesthisparticularjobuniquewasthefactthatthethinkingbehindhowthestonewouldberepairedhadtobeworkedoutonthescaffold.ItwasafascinatingtributetothearchitectAnthonyBlacklay.”

Maysandalsocompletedcleaningofthefaçadeusinglow–mediumpressuredwatertoremovesuperficialdirt,takingextracarenottodamagethesoftcarvings,andfitmatchingstainlesstell.

Theotherelementoftheprojectinvolvedinternalwork.Thisincludedfittingdisabledaccesstothesouthporchandelectricallyoperatedglassdoors,aswelldisabledliftaccessandrestorationtothesouthporch’shistoricgeometricclayfloortiles.

ItwasatypicallysensitiveapproachfromMaysandwhoearlierthisyearlaunchedanewethicalcodeinabidtoensurethematerialscomefromethicalsources.Maysand’spolicyhasbeenintroducedbecausethecompanyhasbecomeincreasinglyconcernedthatsomestoneimportedfromIndia,Chinaandelsewherecomesfromquarrieswheretheworkersareexploited–oftenthiscanbethroughtheuseofchildorforcedlabour.

St Mary’s Church, Nantwich

MaysandManagingDirectorBrynLislesays:“Thisamajorissuefortherestorationindustryandwefirmlybelievethatmorepeopleneedtobemadeawareaboutthiskindofactivity.WewouldneverstandbyandallowchildrentobeusedinquarrieshereintheUKandwebelievethatwecan’tturnablindeyewhenweknowitisgoingonelsewhere.

“That’swhywehaveputthiscodetogethertoensurewedoeverythingwecantosourceourstonefromethicalsources.Wearearelativelysmallcompanybutstronglybelievethatthereneedstobegreaterawarenessabouttheuseofchildlabourandforcedlabour.Ithinkitwouldshockalotofpeopletodiscoverthatanawfullotofthestonethatisimportedandusedonbuildingprojectsinthiscountrycomesfromverydubioussources.

“Weareactivelydevelopingethicalsourcesforalloursupplylinesandinthefuturewewilldowhatwecantoinfluencesub-contractorsweworkwithtoincreaseawarenessoftheissues.Wewillalsotrytoinfluenceotherkeyplayersintheindustry.Thisisanimportantissueandweneedtomakesurethateveryoneinvolvedintheindustry–fromarchitectstothegeneralpublic–understandswhatisgoingon.”

Maysand’sethicalsourcingpolicymeansonlyusingquarrieswhere:•childrenarenotusedasworkers•noworkersareforcedtowork•workersarefreetojoinorformtradeunions•workersdonotfaceunsafeorunhygienicworkingconditionsBasedinRoyton,Maysandhasworkedonawiderangeofrestoration,

regenerationandpreservationprojectssuchasSalfordCathedral,ChesterCityWalls,ManchesterCityArtGallery,DunhamMassey,thePortofLiverpoolBuildingandChethamsSchoolofMusic.q

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n Leicestershire based company Cast Iron Welding Services Ltd has been awarded the contract to carry out the much-needed

restoration work to the Tower Bridge’s lamp standards and balustrades. The family-run company has an excellent reputation for its sensitive approach to restoring Heritage-protected cast iron structures – and has developed the specific welding process needed for this demanding work.

London’s world-famous Tower Bridge is over 100 years old and is English Heritage category Grade 1 listed. Maintenance and repair work on this iconic landmark requires knowledgeable experts to help maintain its authenticity and historic importance.

Over the years, the balustrade handrails and bottom support beam have exerted excessive pressure on the lamp standards due to natural movements in the bridge and rust building up in the expansion joints of the bridge’s structure causing the lantern balustrades to crack. Cast Iron Welding Services is carefully removing the damaged castings one by one, using purpose-built jigs and hydraulic jacks that hold the

Specialist welding engineers called on for London Tower Bridge restoration work

structures firmly to prevent any unwanted extra stress on the bridge’s concrete structure.

After the damaged sections are removed they are transported back to the company’s workshops in Coalville, Leicestershire for restoration. Decades of paint layers have had to be removed to reveal the original casting before the inspection and restorative welding process can begin to bring the sections back to their original specification and strength. The restoration work involves ‘gas fusion welding’, a highly specialised technique developed by Cast Iron Welding Services back in 1946.

The welding process requires the castings to be pre-heated at a controlled rate to achieve 600oC which is the perfect welding temperature for this grade of cast iron. This temperature is maintained throughout the welding process whilst the prepared area is subjected to intense localised heat with an oxy-acetylene torch that turns the area to be welded into a molten pool. A skilled operator maintains the molten pool and gradually fills the area up with a cast iron filler material of the same chemical analysis as the original casting. After the welding process the casting is then reduced in temperature at a controlled rate of 50o per hour to ensure a stress-free weld. The result is undetectable to the eye and will have the same characteristics and strength as the original casting.

Once restored the casting will be primed and ready for careful refitting, the castings are then returned to Tower Bridge and reinstalled. This precise, delicate restoration process is already underway, and is likely to be complete by September 2010. q

Removal of the lantern to have access to the baluster box

The gas fusion welding process

The damaged box welded and painted, ready for installation

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buildingssurvivewhichwouldhavebeenlost,mutilatedorbadlyrepairedwithouttheirintervention.

Yetforallthesesuccessstoriesthereisstillagrowingnumberofperiodpropertyownersignoringthepastandusinginappropriatematerialstorenovateorrefurbishbuildingsthathavestoodproudfordecades.Withbudgetscurrentlybeingsqueezedbytheeconomicdownturnandaneverincreasingrangeof‘fake/effect’productscomingontothemarket,thereisarealriskofthesebuildingsbeingstrippedoftheverymaterialsthatcreatetheircharmandcharacter.

Today,homeownerscanchoosefromfakeleadproducts,pre-fabricatedchimneys,castironeffectrainwatersystemsandmodernbulkyrooflightsclaiminga‘conservationstyle’.Withbudgetstightthesetypesofproductsareobviouslytemptingtoperiodpropertyowners,particularlyasmanyofthemanufacturersalsoclaimthatthesemodernmaterialsevenoffermuchcovetedenvironmentalbenefits.

AsManagingDirectorofTuscanFoundryProductsLtd,Ihaveseenfirsthandanincreaseofplasticrainwatergoodstryingtoemulatethebenefitsofcastiron.Itiscertainlytruethattodaythesealternativemodernmaterialshavemadegreatadvancesfromafewyearsagobuttheystillhavealongwaytogobeforeofferinganythinglikethebenefitsprovidedbycastiron.Reliablecastironhasprovenitsworthovertheyearsindemandingapplications,ahistoricaltrackrecordunmatchedbysubstitutematerials.

Abuildingcontractoroncesaidtomethat‘ifplasticgutteringhadbeenavailabletotheVictorians,theywouldhaveusedit’.Whilstwewillneverknowwhetherthismighthavebeenthecase,wecanbereasonablycertainthatitwouldnothavestoodthetestoftimeinthewaycastironhas.

Itappearsthereasonforusingplasticovercastironisfirstlypriceandsecondthatitdoesnotrequirepainting.Thisinitselfcontradictsthereasonwhymanypeoplechooseaperiodpropertyinthefirstplace.Icannotthinkofasinglecustomerwhochosetoownaperiodpropertybecauseitwascheapordidnotrequireanymaintenance.Thesebuildingshavehistory,needcareandareusuallyalabouroflovefortheowner.

TheListedPropertyOwnersClubisanorganisationhelpingListedpropertyownerstobekeptinformedabouttheirrightsandresponsibilities.Membershipgivesaccesstodetailedadvice,informationandsupportforjustabouteveryconceivableissueassociatedwithownership.

Director,KellymarieSmithcomments:“Manyownersbuylistedpropertiesbecausetheyfallinlovewiththecharacterofthebuilding,theyarealsoproudtoownalittlepieceofourheritage.Mostownersenjoyresearchingthehistoryoftheirpropertyandsharingitsstorymakingthepropertycomealive.It’sverydisappointingwhenownersreplaceoriginalarchitecturalitemswithmodernmaterialswhichdetractfromthecharacter,quiteoftenitisalackofknowledgeontheowner’spartwhentheydon’trealisethevisualandsometimesdetrimentaldamagetheyaredoingtotheirbuilding.Wetrytorecommendownersthinkaboutthequalityoftherepairsandmaintenancetheyaredoing,ratherthanjustlookingatthepricetag.Itisalsoimportantforthemtorememberthey

The benefits of using the correct materials for traditional buildings

Periodpropertiesby PAUL TRACE, Managing Director of Tuscan Foundry Products Ltd

n OrganisationssuchasEnglishHeritageexisttoprotectandpromoteEngland’sspectacularhistoricenvironmentandensure

thatitspastisresearchedandunderstood.SupportingthisworkarethelikesofSPAB,TheSocietyfortheProtectionofAncientBuildings,whichwasfoundedbyWilliamMorrisin1877tocounteractthehighlydestructive‘restoration’ofmedievalbuildingsbeingpractisedbymanyVictorianarchitects.

TodaySPABisthelargest,oldestandmosttechnicallyexpertnationalpressuregroupfightingtosaveoldbuildingsfromdecay,demolitionanddamage.Theyrepresentthepracticalandpositivesideofconservationandhaveafirmsetofprinciplesabouthowoldbuildingsshouldberepairedandthepracticalknowledgetoshowhowthesecanbeputintoeffect.

Theirsuccessesarevisibleacrossthecountry.Thousandsofhistoric

From North to South, East to West, the UK has approximately half a million Listed buildings. In addition there are numerous period properties dotted around the country in conservation areas and areas of outstanding natural beauty. These buildings form an important part of our country’s history and provide a valuable insight into techniques and designs from years gone by.

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willneedtoconsulttheirconservationofficerwithchangessuchastherainwatergoods-ifthebuildersaysit’sOKownersshouldstillgeta2ndopinion.”

MembershipofLPOCwillhelpyouavoidpotentiallyexpensivepitfalls,stayontherightsideofyourconservationofficerandensurethatowningalistedbuildingbecomeslessofachoreandmoreofapleasure.

Therearemanyproductmanufacturersthathaveidentifiedapotentiallylucrativemarketintherefurbishmentofolderproperties.Theyhavetakenexistingproducts,designedformodernapplications,andpushedthemassomethingtheyarenot.Aprimeexampleistheconservationskylight,wherelowcostbulkyframedrooflightsthatsitproudoftherooflinehaveaplasticbarattachedtothefronttogiveasocalledconservationeffect.Unfortunatelyalargenumberofownersandbuildingcontractorsarechoosingthistypeofproductovergenuineconservationrooflights,basednotonqualitybutprice.

Whatevercompanyyoupurchaseyourproductsfrom,itisimportantthatyouchoosetherightmaterials.Whenmakingdecisionsaboutwhethertousemodernalternativesyoushouldrememberthosequirkyperiodfeaturesthatoriginallyattractedyoutotheproperty.Bychoosinginappropriatematerialsyoumaysavemoneyintheshorttermbutthiscouldbeattheexpenseoftheoriginalperiodcharacterandultimatelyreducethevalueoftheproperty.q

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Celebrating 150 Years of Excellencein Church Window Guards

n C. Aiano & Sons Ltd., the leading maker of wire mesh window guards for churches and heritage buildings, is celebrating its 150th birthday

this year. In 1860 Charles Aiano, son of the well known Canterbury-based barometer maker, set up his wireworks in Poplar, East London, making C. Aiano & Sons one of the oldest wireworks in the country.

It was a bold move by Charles who had originally followed in his father’s footsteps as a barometer maker, learning his trade among the many Italian barometer makers who settled in London in the nineteenth century. Yet Charles was not content in the barometer business, or perhaps he sensed the times were changing and the Victorian passion for instruments would wane. In any case he decided to branch out into a new kind of business. He moved his young family to London and set about learning the skills and crafts of wireworking. Charles and his young family lived at the heart of the vibrant Italian émigré community in Hatton Garden on the site of what was soon to become the Italian Church.

Wireworking in those days was quite different from now. There was no such material as weld mesh or stainless steel, of course. But many of the skills and techniques that Charles would have learned, used and developed are still used by Aiano today. To our knowledge, Aiano is the only company in the country still making woven mesh window guards to protect

precious stained glass and leaded light windows. Similarly, Aiano has strived to remain true to Charles’ values of quality engineering and craftsmanship learned when he was in the barometer trade. Aiano is unique in retaining and nurturing many traditional wire weaving skills such as diamond mesh, lacing and others.

Aiano has 150 years’ continuous experience of making window guards for churches and heritage buildings and Aiano wireworkers and welders are second to none. They take enormous pride in their work and pay great attention to detail.

Making quality window guards to protect church windows is not only about quality wireworking. Each church building has its own particular requirements and Aiano starts each job with a site survey to take templates and ascertain the exact needs and constraints of the job. This process requires accuracy and experience in order to ensure that the finished window guards fit perfectly into the space allowed for each window. Aiano is especially skilled at making the complex shapes and lines of individual traceries.

Each and every church is different. Some churches have the legacy of a mixture of different guards installed over the years – inside the reveal, over the reveal, weld mesh, woven mesh, galvanised, stainless steel and so on. At some churches, guards have been hammered into place with masonry nails that have cracked and damaged Victorian brickwork. And some guards are simply too ill-fitting to look neat and do their job properly. A bad guard stands out like a sore thumb, whereas a good guard, an Aiano guard, should be barely noticeable. In recent months Aiano has completed work for St Anne’s Kew Green, Amesbury Abbey Church, St. Simon’s Shepherd’s Bush and St Alban’s Cathedral, to name but a few.

Aiano makes window guards from both woven mesh and weld mesh according to the requirements of the job. However, with 150 years’

experience making window guards they are convinced that the traditional woven mesh methods are the best. Woven mesh guards are longer lasting and have a natural hand-crafted beauty that is more in keeping with the fabric of the church – beautiful stonework, brickwork, iron and stained glass.

One of the secrets of Aiano’s success over the last 150 years has been the ability to blend traditional craftsmanship and understanding of church window guards with a willingness to embrace and adapt to new technologies and materials. Aiano stainless steel window guards, when powder coated black, are extremely long lasting and unobtrusive. The Aiano guard is a beautiful object in itself, a product of 150 years of experience and craftsmanship, but it is a subtle beauty that complements and never competes with or detracts from the stars of the show – the stonework and the windows. q

An Aiano window guard from the 1970s at All Saints, Poplar

A good window guard, an Aiano guard, should be beautiful but barely noticeable

These uncoated guards show how perfectly Aiano guards are made to fit and line up within the reveal

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New steel window guide is a key specification tool

n The Steel Window Association (SWA) has recently published a new edition of its Specifier’s Guide to Steel Windows.

Demonstrating the full spectrum of steel window ranges available from members of the SWA, the Specifier’s Guide provides a central point of informed knowledge, making it an essential reference for anyone involved in specifying windows – including architects, contractors and other members of the building supply chain.

The new edition was made necessary because of the rapid changes in building technology and standards. At one time the industry would have struggled to meet the latest U-value requirements, but advances in sealed unit manufacture, like the

use of inert gases, have enabled the steel window industry to achieve improved thermal insulation performances, even with vintage window systems. The latest edition of the Specifier’s Guide also contains a new product range, the W30, a double glazed window section for domestic and light commercial applications which has evolved from W20.

There is added emphasis on the green credentials of steel windows: with the longevity and recyclability of steel sections, coupled with the fact that they are rolled from almost 100% scrap recycled steel, steel windows meet the requirements of increasingly environmentally conscious specifiers.

The natural slimness of steel window sections let the window reap the most from higher levels of solar gain. All SWA window ranges are fully weather tested and thermally evaluated and in addition the W40 range meets the requirements of Secured by Design.

The SWA President, Paul Tomlinson, highlighted the importance of the new Specifier’s Guide to the industry: "There's a wide array of steel windows of different types, styles and section sizes, each with different features and benefits. Some have fire ratings, some have high thermal efficiencies, and some have extremely narrow sightlines which are often essential for conservation work. By using the Specifier’s Guide to decide on a window type, it is easy to go to different companies throughout the UK to seek competitive prices for the same product." q

Stylish loft living with elegant slimline steel windows

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New steel window guide is a key specification tool

A windowon historyn Replacingwindowsinaperiodpropertycanbeatricky

business.Windowsareamajorelementinthearchitecturaldesignofabuildingandtheirsensitivereplacementwithastyleinkeepingwiththeoriginalisvitaltothesuccessofanyrenovationproject.

Windowsareimportant.Theyare,ineffect,abuilding’s‘eyes’andoftenitsmostprominentfeature-aswellasbeingoneofthemostsignificantcomponentsincreatingitscharacterandappearance.

Theimportanceofwindowsrestsnotonlyintheiroverallappearance,butindetailssuchastheirconstructionandmaterials,theirfittingsandmechanics,andeventheirglazing.

Windowdesignhasconstantlyevolvedoverthecenturies,andiscloselyrelatedtotheevolutionofarchitecturalstyles,framingmaterialsand,mostimportantly,totechnologicaladvances.

Priortothesixteenthcentury,mostwindowswereconstructedfromstonemullionsortimberframeswithunglazedopeningswhichcouldbeclosedwitheitherslidingorfoldingwoodenshutters,oiledclothorpaper,oreventhinsheetsofhorn.

Onlythewealthiesthousescouldaffordtohaveglazedwindowsandthesewouldhavebeenconstructedfromsmallpanesofglass,orquarrels,heldinalatticeofleadstripsorcames.

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Periodproperties

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Tailored to order –Conservation™ fenestrationby Mumford & Wood

n AsubstantialpropertyrefurbishmentinoneofLondon’smostdesirableaddressesisnowcompleteofferingmixed-

useaccommodation.WindowsbyMumford&Wood,specialistmanufacturerofperiod-style,highperformancewindowsanddoors,werespecifiedforthiscomplexproject.

Inordertosatisfythestrictdesigncriteriasetoutbyplannersandarchitects,Mumford&Woodaddressedmanyissuesinthedesignofbothsashandcasementwindowsanddoorsetsinordertomatchtheoriginalfenestration.Theextensivestructuralrefurbishmentofthebuildinginvolvedtheretentionofthecurrentfacadesalthoughthepropertywasunderpinnedandtheexistingbasementslabremoved,replacedandlowered.Mumford&Wood’scurrentwindowspecificationdesignswereadaptedtomeet,ascloselyaspossible,theexternaldetailingoftheexistingframesections;meetingrailsonthereplacementdoubleglazedwindowswererequiredtostayinthesamepositioninordertolineupwithstonefeaturesandbrickworkintheretainedfacades.

Groundfloorboxframewindowsrequiredspecial,largemeetingrailswithadetailedmouldfittedtotheface;casements

Tailored to order – ConservationTM fenestration by Mumford & Wood

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hadspecialexternalfeaturemouldingtotheframeandcasementfanlightshadaspecialbarpattern–allofwhichwereinkeepingwiththeoriginalwindows.

Inthisprojectthewindowsandfanlightswerefittedinternallyinacheckrevealshowingonlytheexactframeproportions.

Mumford&Wood’sConservation™productsaremanufacturedfrompremiumquality,cleargradelarchwhichisengineeredandlaminatedtoachievestrength,durabilityandstability.Doubleglazedproductsarefactoryfinished,haveBFRCenergyratingsfromAtoC,dependingonspecification,andcarrytheSecuredbyDesign,EnergyTrustandBSIKitemarkbadgesofdistinction.q

ConservationTM fenestration by Mumford & Wood

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n Making a building more comfortable, warm and efficient is far from easy, especially when you have a period property. Single

glazed windows are a major contributor to heat loss and compensating for this is not only costly but requires more energy consumption and therefore greater carbon emissions. Fitting double-glazing is expensive and disruptive whilst with period properties uPVC is out of character, inappropriate in conservation areas and generally not an option in listed buildings.

Clear View has the solution. Fit secondary glazing to your existing windows and hence preserve the heritage of the building. The benefits being – improved thermal efficiency and security, plus a reduction in draughts and cold spots and assisting with condensation problems. The company’s secondary glazing systems are bespoke to the customer’s exact requirements and their specialist fabricators can make windows to virtually any design. Sound proofing is another benefit of secondary glazing as it is by far the most effective noise insulation system for windows.

Clear View is committed to protecting our heritage and the environment – preserving the character of a building by allowing the retention of the original period features and reducing heat loss, costs and carbon emissions.

Clear View are a supplier to the National Trust and well used to sympathetically enhancing the insulation performance of windows in historic buildings with an extremely high quality and high performing system.

For further details please call 0114 279 2875 or visit www.clearviewsg.co.uk q

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Clear View has the solultion

ThankstothenewlyestablishedTudordynasty,thesixteenthcenturywasaperiodofgreatlyincreasedstabilityandprosperity.Atthistimetherewasagreatincreaseinwindowsize,withtheselargerwindowsbeingsubdividedintosmalleropenings,or‘lights’by‘mullions’(verticalbarsofmasonryortimber)and‘transoms’(horizontalbars).

Asglassbecamemorewidelyavailable,wealthierhouseholdshadlargerandmoreextravagantwindows,althoughinsmallerhouses,glazingremainedrare,butneverthelesswasstillmorecommonthaninpreviouscenturies.

UndertheinfluenceoftheItalianRenaissanceintheseventeenthcentury,windowsinEnglandbegantoconformtonewclassicalideals.Theybecametallerthantheywerewide.Thesewindowsweretypicallydividedintofourlightsbyasinglemullionandtransom.Thesecouldbemadeinmasonry,butasthecenturyprogressed,theywereincreasinglyconstructedfromtimber.

Thesashwindowwasintroducedinthelatterpartoftheseventeenthcenturyandconsistedoftwosashes,orglazedframes;thefrontonewouldbesuspendedinthetophalfoftheframe,andtherearwouldclosethebottomhalf.

Seventeenth-centurysasheswerealwaysintimber,usuallyoakorpine,withagridoftimberglazingbarstoholdtheglass.

Intheearlyyearsoftheeighteenthcentury,thesashwindowalteredlittlefromthoseofthelatterseventeenthcentury.However,asthecenturyprogressed,sashdesignevolvedandframesweremadealmostexclusivelyfrompine.Asthequalityofglassavailableimprovedandpanesbecamethinner,thewidthoftheglazingbarsbeganslowlytoreduce.

St Vincent Street, Glasgow by Mumford & Wood

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Periodproperties

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n Founded in 1967 by the late Graham Holdsworth, Holdsworth Windows Limited continues under the

leadership of managing director Mark Glover, who joined the company in 1985. They specialise in the manufacture of purpose made hot dip galvanized polyester powder coated steel windows and genuine leaded lights. The steel windows can also be double glazed.

The company can manufacture windows from a variety of sections to suit most requirements, depending on the individual contract. This could be simple angle iron frames, standard sections, W20 or even heavier box sections. The fittings are normally brass, but they do have their own period handles and stays. If required they can often re-use existing fittings. q

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n Based on a medieval church in Salonica, St. George’s in London’s Tufnell Park dates back to 1861. Like many places of worship,

St. George’s has had an interesting and varied career, including a spell as a Shakespearean Theatre. More recently the building was purchased by the Protestant evangelical church organisation, ‘House On The Rock’. Now totally renovated and renamed ‘The Rock Tower’, the building provides a multi-functional centre for the local congregation and wider community.

In addition to its function as a place of worship, ‘The Rock Tower’ will regularly be used for live music events and theatrical productions, so a major consideration during renovation works was acoustic insulation for noise containment.

Working closely with architects Paul Davis and Partners and main contractor Kier Wallis, Selectaglaze, the UK’s leading designer and manufacturer of secondary glazing systems, was called upon to resolve the problem of noise break-out via the windows, the majority of which were gothic arched headed stone mullion with stained glass. The windows to the nave, measuring 4.5m high x 2m wide and some being 11m from floor level, required a composite arrangement of shaped units for the heads with either side hung casements or vertical sliding units below for ease of access and maintenance. As part of the refurbishment process, a mezzanine floor was added to provide a seating balcony; this dissected several of the windows required to be fitted with secondary glazing. Selectaglaze treated

a total of 60 windows, many utilising their Series 40, 41 and 45 Side Hung Casements, all produced with 6.4mm laminated safety glass.

This project is the latest undertaken by Selectaglaze involving church refurbishment or change of use, including the Grade II* Listed St. John the Evangelist Church, Hammersmith which, having been decommissioned by the Church of England, was taken over by the famous Godolphin and Latymer School and is now a state-of-the-art performance centre.

Purpose designed secondary glazing can be unobtrusive, sympathetic to the building and, in addition to noise insulation, markedly improves the window’s thermal efficiency and increases levels of security. Full factory assembly allows rapid installation with minimal disruption to the building and its occupants.

Established in 1966 and a Royal Warrant Holder since 2004, Selectaglaze has a wealth of experience in all types of building up to Grade 1 listed. The company has produced an extensive range of literature including test results for energy efficiency, noise insulation and added security, all of which are free upon request from the Marketing Department on 01727 837271/e-mail: enquiries@selectaglaze.co.uk or by visiting the company’s comprehensive website:www.selectaglaze.co.uk. q

The house that quietly rocks!

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Throughoutthecentury,sashesbecameincreasinglylessexpensive.Bythemiddleofthecenturytheywereappearinginquitehumblehousesandbytheendtheywerestandardineventhesmallestworker’sdwellings.

Intheearlyyearsofthenineteenthcentury,the‘Regency’era,therewassomeexperimentationwiththepatternsofglazingbarsinanattempttobreakawayfromthesimplegrid-likearrangementsofthepreviouscentury.

Theuseofnarrow‘marginlights’becamecommon–thesewerelong,thinpanesofglassthatranaroundtheedgeofthewindowlikeaborderandwereoftenfilledwithnewlyfashionablecolouredglass.

AftertheaccessionofVictoria,in1837,plateglassbecamefarmorecommonasimprovedmethodsofmanufacturemadeitlessexpensiveandbythemiddleofthecentury,mostsasheseitherhadonlyasingle,centralglazingbar,ornoneatall.

Thelatterpartofthecenturysawtheriseoftwonewhistoricalstyles,the‘ArtsandCrafts’movementandthe‘QueenAnne’movement.Undertheformer,genuineleaded-lightsagainbecamepopular,setinstonemullionsoroakframes,whilstunderthelatter,white-paintedsmall-panesashwindowswerethestyle.

Thepre-warandinter-warperiodsofthetwentiethcenturysawasplitbetweenrevived-traditionalandmodernistwindows.

Therevived-traditionalwindowseventuallyevolvedintwodirections:thefirstsimplifiedtobecomethecommonstyleformostinter-warhousingestates,withtimbercasements,oftenwithsmallpanelsofleadedandcolouredglassindoorsandatthetopofwindows.Thesecondtypeevolvedintoalate-seventeenth/early-eighteenth-centuryrevival,andwasparticularlypopularforpublicbuildings,wherelargemulti-panedsashesagainbecamecommon.

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Atthesametime,themodernistwindows,influencedbytheArtDecostyle,weremadefromrecentlydevelopedhot-rolledsteel.These‘Crittall’windows,manufacturedusingthelatesttechnology,producedasimple,functionalwindowofstrikinglymodernappearance.q

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n Celebratingthesheerbeautyandversatilityofnaturalstoneasabuildingmaterial,theStoneFederationof

GreatBritain’sprestigiousNaturalStoneAwards,nowintheir15thyear,arebeingpresentedataglitteringceremonyatLord'sCricketGroundon26thNovember2010.

Opentoanyoneinvolvedinaproject,includingclients,professionals,tradesandstonesuppliersalike,theawardsaredividedintofivecategories:NewBuild(load-bearingandmodern,non-loadbearing),RepairandRestoration,Interiors,LandscapingandCraftsmanship.

Entrieswillbejudgedbyateamofinternationallyrecognisedarchitectswithadvicefromstoneexperts.Whatthejudgeswillbelookingforisasympathyofscaletoanysurroundingbuildingorfeaturesand,incontinuousstreetfrontages,arelationshiptoanymarkedgeneralhorizontalorverticalpattern.

Theywilllookforanunderstandingoftherequirementsofstonedetailingandweatheringtogiveacleanandminimummaintenancebuildingorlandscapedevelopment.Additionally,theywillbelookingforinnovativeuseofstoneinallentries,whilegreatimportancewillbegiventotheoverallqualityoftheworkundertaken.

Projectsdonothavetobelargetowin.Whattheydoneedisademonstrablecommitmenttoexcellence,bothinthedesignandtheexecutionofthedesign.

Theawardcategoriesdemonstratejusthowversatileaproductnaturehasproducedinstonewithitshugerangeofcolours,textures,finishes,sizesanduses.Theyalsoshowthattheskillsofthemasonareasfinelyhonedtodayasevertheywere,complementedbysophisticatedcomputer-controlledmachinerytomakethemodernstoneindustrycapableofmeetingtheexactingrequirementsofthemodernconstructionindustryandtheinnovativedesignsofthemostimaginativearchitectsofourtime.

Therearemanygeneraltypesofnaturalstone,including:

•Granite–atermwhichhasbeenappliedtoalmostanyigneousstonethatcanretainapolish.Truegranitesprovidemanyofthesestonesbutothertypesofigneousstonethatmayfallintothisclassificationincludesyenites,gabbros,doleritesanddiorites.Themetamorphicstonesgneiss,schistandgranulitearefrequentlyalsoincludedinthis‘granite’classification.

•Sandstonedescribesalmostanystoneofsedimentaryoriginwithagranulartexture.Someothertypesofstonethatmayfallunderthisclassificationincludegritstones,siltstones,greywackes,conglomeratesandmarls.

•Trueslateisdefinedbythepresenceofa‘slaty’cleavage.Thisallowstheslatetobesplitatalmostanypointthroughthestoneparalleltothecleavageplane.Mosttrueslatesaremetamorphosedsediments,oftenformerlymudstones.

Celebrating excellencein natural stone craftsmanship

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Expert techniques wipe out graffiti fastn DorsetbasedCommunityClean’sfullytrainedstaffare

specialistsinthecleaningofgraffitiandhaveover15yearsofexperienceinprovidingacompletegraffitiremovalandanti-graffitiservice.

CommunityCleanisaninauguralmemberoftheAnti-GraffitiAssociationandsupporttheiraimtopromotebestpracticeinthemanagementofgraffiti,vandalismandrelatedcrime.

Thecompanyhassuppliedanti-graffitiservicestolocalandcentralgovernment,embassies,theprisonservice,medicalinstitutions,majorconstructioncompanies,civilengineeringcontractors,transportoperators,housingassociationsandtheprivatesector.

Withsomanycompaniesoffering‘similar’graffitiremovalproductsandservices,CommunityCleanunderstandstheimportanceofprovidingthebestvaluepackageonthemarket.

Theyusestateoftheartmachineryandthelatestinhighlyadvancedproductstoremovegraffitiandpaintfromvirtuallyanysurfaceandanylocation.

CommunityCleanhasbeenworkinghardincommunitiesacrosstheUKtomakethembetter,cleanerandmoreenjoyableforeveryone.Thecompany’sworkisoftenjudgedbythetoughestaudienceofall,whenworkingdirectlyinfrontofthepublic.ThishasinspiredCommunityCleantodeveloponeofthemosteffective,quickandenvironmentallyfriendlyservicesinthebusiness.

Forfurtherinformationcall08456850133orvisitwww.communityclean.co.ukq

Celebrating excellence

•LimestoneoccursnaturallyinmanypartsoftheUK,withthelimestonesoftheJurassicperiodbeingprominentinthisfield.TheserunbroadlyinabeltfromDorsetandSomersetinthesouthwest,throughtheCotswoldsandOxfordshire,onintoNorthamptonshireandLincolnshire,tojustnorthoftheHumber.

•Truemarble,inthegeologicalsense,ismetamorphosedlimestoneandisprincipallycomposedofrecrystallisedcalciteformedintoaninterlockinggranularstructure.

•Quartzitesaretypicallythemetamorphosedproductofanoriginalsedimentaryrocksuchassandstone,composedalmostentirelyofquartz.

•Travertineisthenamenormallygiventoatypeofprecipitatedcalciteassociatedwiththecoolingofwatersaroundhotspringsorincaves.Beingformedveryslowlyitoftenincorporatesdeadmattersuchastreedebristhatlaterrotsawaytoleaveavoidedstructure.

•Greenorverdemarbleisconsideredseparatelytotruemarblebecauseitsoriginisoftentheresultofthemetamorphismofrocksotherthanlimestones.Thegreencolouristypicallyderivedfromthepresenceofserpentineminerals.q

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Celebrating the best of British building and design in wood

n CelebratingexcellenceinwoodinbuildingsandfurnituremadeinBritain,TheWoodAwards,nowinitseighthyear,is

themostrespectedawardforbuildinganddesigninwood.Thejudgesforthisyear’sawardsselectedanexceptionalshortlist

from160categoryentriesinJuneattheCarpenter’sHall,London.The27-strongshortlistfeaturescharmingprivatehousesand

stunningsmallprojects,outstandingrestorations,splendidpublicbuildingsandfabulousbespokefurniture,allstrongcandidatesforTheWoodAwards’maincategories:Private&BestSmallProject,Conservation/Restoration,CommercialandPublicAccess,StructuralandFurniture–andofcoursethecovetedGoldAward.

MichaelMorrisonofPurcellMillerTrittonArchitectsandChairmanoftheJudgessaid,“IamdelightedbythestandardofentriesinmyfirstyearasChairman.ItgivesmegreatsatisfactiontoseegooddesignthrivingintheUK.TheWoodAwardsplaysacrucial

roleinpromotingthequalityofBritishdesignintheworld’smostsustainablebuildingmaterial.”OverallwinnerswillbeannouncedattheCarpenter’sHallon21October2010.

Ashortlistedprojectofparticularinterestthisyearintheaward’sPrivate/BestSmallProjectcategory,isthetransformationofthe12thcenturyGrade1ListedStPeter’sChurchinPeterchurch,Herefordshire,tocreateasustainable,multi-usecommunitybuildingnowknownastheStPeter’sCentre.TheschemewasdesignedanddeliveredbyCommunionDesign,whospecialiseinecclesiastical,residentialandcommunitydesignprojects.

StPeter’sCentreisnowanexceptionalspace,developedinpartnershipwithStPeter’sChurch,PeterchurchPCCandHerefordshireCouncil.Theancientbuildinghasbeensuperblyreorderedtoprovideacommunityvenue,aplaceofworship,achildren’sEarlyYearsCentreandapubliclibrary.

Duetothesensitivenatureofthesiteinheritageandreligiousterms,Communionendeavouredtochangeaslittleaspossibleabouttheexistingbuilding,andsoughttoreducetoanabsoluteminimumthenewfacilitiesrequiredtodeliverthebrief.Thesefacilitiesincludedawoodpelletboiler,akitchen,anaccessibleWC,aWC,acleanersareaandstairandliftaccesstothefirstfloorbalcony.

Tominimiseimpact,allfacilitiesweredesignedtobecontainedwithinfreestandingtimberboxes.Whenusedictates,theboxesareopenedallowingtheexistingspacestobetransformedfrom12thcenturypatternsofworship,tomorecontemporaryusesalmostinstantly.Oncetheactivityiscomplete,theboxesareclosedandthespacereturnstosacredsilence.

Thetimberboxesaredesignedaslightweight,freestandingandreversibleinsertionswithintheexistingspace.Theoutercladdingoftheboxeswasspecifictoeach.ThelargestandmostcomplexboxwaslocatedattheWestendofthechancelandhousedthekitchen,accessibleWC,platformliftandplantroom.Thisgavesupporttotheoakstaircaseandfirstfloorbalconywithbridgetothenewlibrary.

Thecladdingwasformedfrom20mmthick,100mmwideAmericangrownoakboards.Greatcarewasrequiredinitsconstruction,sincetoachieveanelevationofuninterruptedoakboards,thesettingoutoftheinternalspacesandtheplacementoftheopeningapertureswassubjecttothematrixoftheoakboardcladding.Thiswasparticularlytaxingfortheintegrationoftheplatformliftdoor.

BespokestoragefurniturewasdesignedbyCommunion,andconstructedinoakorcladinPortuguesecork,whichallowsfordisplayofthechildren’sworkswithinthenaveofthechurch.

Theprojectisanoverwhelmingsuccess.Thebuilding’slendinglibraryishugelypopular,theSureStartCentreisachievingitsfullservicedeliveryoutcomesandmore,whilstthechurchiscontinuingtobeusedasaplaceofworshipformidweekandSundayservices,andisbeingregularlyhiredbymanycommunitygroups.q

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Looking for a conservator?Find accredited professionals in just one mouse click!

n Apassionformuseumsandartissomethingsharedbyreaders

ofEcclesiasticalandHeritageWorldandmembersofIcon,theInstituteofConservation.

AsthelargestorganisationforconservatorsandrestorersintheUK,Iconiscommittedtohelpingeveryonewithaninterestinthecareandconservationofheritage.

Oneofthewaysthisisachievedisbyhelpingpeoplefindexperiencedandqualifiedconservatorstoworkinmuseumsandgalleries.IconknowthatitcansometimesbedifficulttofindsomeoneyoucanbesurehastheconservationapproachandlevelofskillrequiredbyorganisationssuchastheMuseumsAssociation,EnglishHeritageandtheHeritageLotteryFund.

ProvidedfreeofchargebyIcon,theConservationRegisterisafreelyavailablelistofbusinesseswhichcanbesearchedonlinebythetypeofworktobeundertakenandlocation.

EachofthebusinessesincludedintheRegisterhashadtoprovideextensiveinformationinsupportoftheirlisting,mostof

whichismadeavailabletopeoplesearchingtheRegister.ThisdepthofinformationdistinguishestheConservationRegisterfromotherdirectories.

Requiringstandardsofprofessionalaccreditation,theConservationRegisteralsoshowsdescriptionsofworkrecentlyundertakenbyeachbusiness.Theseprojectdescriptionsareregularlyrenewedandeachhasbeenreferencedbytheclientforwhomtheworkwasundertaken.TousetheConservationRegisterpleasevisit:www.conservationregister.com.

Welcomingindividualsandorganisationsfromallbackgroundswhoidentifywiththeconservationandpreservationofourculturalheritage,Iconhasadynamicandenthusiasticmembershipofbothprofessionalconservatorsandpeopleinterestedinconservation.MembershipgroupsarethemainhuboftheInstitute’sactivityandspanspecialistinterestsfromstoneandstainedglasstotextilesandmetals.

Intermsofadvocacy,thecreationoftheInstitutecouldn’thavecomeatabettertime.Science&Heritage,Protectingand

Conservation

PreservingourHeritage,CaringforourCollectionsandtheNationalLotteryaresomeofthetopicsonwhichIconhassubmittedconsultationresponsesandgivenevidenceoverthelastyear.

Iconalsoworkshardtoraisestandardsinconservationandincreaseunderstandingofconservationamongstthewiderpublic.Thisisarigorouspeerreviewprocessthroughwhichconservatorsdemonstratethattheyhavedeeptechnicalknowledgeoftheirsubject,significantexperienceandtheabilitytomakesoundandethicaljudgementswhenpresentedwithcomplexconservationproblems.AccreditedconservatorscanberecognisedbythelettersACR.

Backin2006,Iconwasgranted£1millionbytheHeritageLotteryFundtowardsthecostofdeliveringanewinternshipschemeinconservationandupto60conservatorshavelaunchedtheircareersthroughthisrouteoverfouryears.

For further information on the full range of Icon activities and events, please visit www.icon.org.uk.q

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Lime

– back in the limelight

n Theuseofbuildinglimesastheprincipalbinderinmortarsandrendershashasenjoyedarenaissanceover

thepastfewyears.Theearliestdocumenteduseoflimeasaconstruction

materialwasapproximately4000B.C.whenitwasusedinEgyptforplasteringthepyramids,andtheRomanEmpirealsousedlimebasedmortarsextensively.Limehasprovenperformancethatisdemonstratedbymanystructures,includingtheGreatWallofChina,whichhavelastedforhundredsofyears.

TheancienttraditionofusinglimeinbuildingcontinueduntilthepatentingofPortlandcementin1824heraldedasteadydeclineinitsuse.Itisthereforelikelythatthevastmajorityofourecclesiasticalbuildingswerebuiltwithlime–itisamaterialthatcontinuestoprovidewell-documentedevidenceofitssuperiorityasamasonrybinder.

Apartfromcathedrals,abbeys,churchesandotherreligiousbuildings,allthecastles,statelyhomesandaconsiderablepercentageofthebuildingstockinthiscountry–constructedbefore1824–werealsobuiltusinglime.Thesearethebuildingsthathavestoodthetestoftimeandthusdeservetheutmostcarewhencarryingoutmaintenance.

Buildinglimesarefundamentallyimportanttothecare,repairandlongtermsurvivalofhistoricbuildings,yettherearemanywhostillregardtheiruseasafadpropagatedbyeccentrics.Suchviewsareevenheldbymanyoftheprofessionalsandpractitionerschargedwiththecareandrepairofoldbuildings.

Mostpre-nineteenth-centurybuildingsusedlimemortarsandplaster.Materialsusedtorepairorreplaceoriginalmasonryshouldhavesimilarpropertiessoasnottodisruptthebalanceofinteractionwithinthebuildingandrepairmortarsshouldmatchtheoriginalincolour,textureandstrength.

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Building on excellence

in the conservation sectorn Craigleith Masonry Company

is a ‘can do’ forward thinking organisation and is ambitious to succeed in the building conservation sector of the construction industry and effect the highest quality work for clients at best value prices.

The company want to get back to the situation where architects and surveyors can simply ask them to ‘fix that’ or ‘build that,’ knowing that they have the confidence and knowledge to do a job well.

For the most part, the buildings that Craigleith Masonry deal with are of solid mass wall construction, be it a combination of stone, brick and lime – what used to be called ‘stane and lime’ construction. Roughly up to the 1920s it was the only way to build. If the company do find a building with problems, they know where to get specialist advice and

seek this as a matter of course – more often than not from the Scottish Lime Centre Trust.

First and foremost, Craigleith Masonry have a well qualified workforce and a company structure that allows their staff members to flourish and progress; they have a route and a path to progress, embracing the Scottish Government’s ambition for life-long learning.

The company’s sites are tidy and safe and are a credit to their organisational skills. Their health and safety regime is second to none – they closely monitor their staff’s health and well being on an ongoing basis. If the staff aren’t happy, then neither is the company.

All of Craigleith Masonry’s sites have a foreman in charge and site diaries are kept religiously, ensuring that clients will know what has been achieved each day, and if there are any problems they can be

‘quarantined’ offering each customer total comfort that they are on the case.

The nature of the materials used on a day to day basis, namely natural stone and hydraulic lime binders, require patience until they achieve optimum durability – so that if a client has a traditional masonry building, they can expect the highest quality repair. It might take a little longer, but clients can rest assured that they are in the most capable of hands.

Craigleith Masonry Company are proud to have worked in partnership with the Scottish Lime Centre Trust (SLCT) on a number of conservation projects, including reinstatement of lime finishes and re-pointing rubblework. They are about to reconstruct a ‘Greek Thomson’ doorway salvaged from a building in Glasgow, by providing the manpower and know-how to reassemble this important piece of masonry for training and education purposes.

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The wealth of experience and knowledge at the SLCT is unrivalled and you can always rely on their independent, pragmatic and practical solutions for building repair, whether on new build or the repair of existing buildings.

Craigleith Masonry are a young but ambitious contractor and like to keep ‘ahead of the game’, whilst continuously developing their staff through attendance at the SLCT’s training and education programme. In the last year, Andrew

Innes, owner of Craigleith Masonry, successfully completed three national units in Conservation Masonry with the SLCT, a qualification accredited by the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA). Andrew is keen to see that as many of his staff as possible also gain these qualifications as a ‘benchmark’ of competence and to demonstrate to clients their commitment to high quality work.

New for 2010, Craigleith Masonry are now able to offer an independent building

consultancy service, backed up by a combined 60 years of experience in the building conservation field. This service can offer full building surveys, defect diagnosis, full specifications and an on site quality control inspection service to give clients the comfort that the right materials and techniques are being employed on their buildings. Any potential client can be assured that with Creigleith Masonry you are in the best of hands, and the company looks forward to doing business with you. q

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n The Limecrete Company Ltd was started in 2006 by husband and wife team Myles and Louisa Yallop. Their background is in

groundworks, but as the environmental impact of general construction practices became impossible to ignore (and probably no coincidence that this coincided with starting a family) they began looking towards sustainable construction. Myles learnt about limecrete and was very impressed with the material, however it appeared to be problematic to work with. The more he researched he realised that the problems would be eliminated by understanding the material and mixing it in a more efficient way. He set about modifying a volumetric batching truck in his workshop and the resulting creation was the Big Green Limecrete Machine.

While the birth of the company was environmentally motivated, historic building renovations now make up roughly half of the company’s work. The floor areas of churches and stately homes tend to be large – failures are unthinkable and here the efficiency and experience of The Limecrete Company are invaluable.

Limecrete floors combine traditional wisdom with modern

technology. Limecrete breathes with traditional building materials and is used without a damp proof course. The insulation layer prevents moisture ingress while allowing damp to escape and also enabling the building to be heated effectively for the comfort and health of the inhabitants.

The future of the company is to maintain the quality standard set for itself, while Myles keeps the inventor within satisfied by developing polished lime screed finishes, efficient mixing and placing methods for hempcrete, and who knows what else. q

Combining traditional wisdom with modern technology

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Cementpointingisparticularlydetrimentalifappliedtosoftstoneorbricks.Itishard,non-resilientandcomparativelynon-absorbent.Nordoesitrespondtothevariationsintheatmospheretothesameextentasthesurroundingstoneorbrickwork.

Limemortarsusedasthebeddingmaterialformasonryandforpointingthejointsprovideapermeablerouteforthepassageofmoisturefromthecoreofthewalltothesurfacewhereitevaporates.Wherethestoneisveryhardandimpervious,thismaybetheonlyrouteavailable.Wherethestoneisrelativelysoft,amoreporousmortarwillalwaysbepreferredtoreducetheamountofevaporationwhichtakesplacethroughthestone.Anyattempttoweatherproofatraditionalwallisthereforepointless.Apermeablerenderprovidesfarmoreeffectiveprotection.

TheSocietyforPreservationofAncientBuildings(SPAB)publishesanexcellentdocument,The Need for Old Buildings to Breathethatdealswith‘coldbridgesyndrome’.Thisdescribesthesituationwherethevapourpermeabilityofsolidmasonry 300-year-old ‘grey lime’

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Lime

wallsiscompromisedbytheuseofmodernimperviousmaterials,suchascementrendersexternallyandgypsumplasterandemulsionpaintinternally.

Thevarietyoflimemortarsvariesthroughouttheworld,dependinguponthelocallimestonesourceandavailabilityofaggregate–intheUKeverythingfromrelativelypurelimestonethroughtolimestonecontaminatedwithavarietyofpozzolanscanbefound.Whenfiredat900°C,eachofthevariantswillproduceaslightlydifferentformoflime,rangingfromapurenon-hydraulicthatwillcurebyabsorbingcarbondioxidetohydrauliclimethatachievespartialcureoncontactwithwateraswellasabsorbingcarbondioxide.Earlyfiringoflimewascarriedoutusingtimber-fedkilnswhichprobablygaverisetothedescription‘greylime’,itbeingtheresultofslakinglimewhichcontainedasmallproportionofwoodash.

Timeshavechangedandtodayapproximately80%ofthecurrentproductionofnon-hydrauliclimeintheUKisusedbythefoodandsteelindustriesthat,quiteunderstandably,arelookingforapureproduct.Acenturyagothelimefrombeneathourfeetwasfiredalmostirrespectiveofqualityandlocaltradesmenunderstoodtheworkingoflocalmaterials.Withjust10%ofcurrentnon-hydrauliclimeproductionbeingusedbythebuildingindustry,theproductisthepurestformoflimeandfreefromthepozzolaniccontaminatethataffordedfeeblyhydraulicsettingqualitiessometimesfoundinhistoricmortars.

Whenidentifyingahistoriclimemortarthatisfeeblyhydraulicitisimportanttogaugetherepairmortartoreplicatethesamesettingcharacteristics.Theaveragemoderncementmixsetsto6.8N/mm2,whilethesettingstrengthsoflimemortarsmayvarybetween2N/mm2orasstrongas40Nmm2.

Theenvironmentalcreditsoflimeareconsiderable.Duringtheproductionoflime,limestoneisburnedwhichgivesoffcarbondioxide.Laterinthecycle,whenthelimeisbeingused

‘Most pre-nineteenth-century buildings used lime

mortars and plaster’

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A day’s work completed in minutes! – innovative new tool speeds stained glass restorationn Aninnovativenewtoolwhichspeedsmortarremovalduring

stainedglassrestoration,theAS170ArbortechAllsaw,completedinjust20minutesajobwhichwouldhavetakenadayormoretocarryoutbyhand.

BenSinclair,proprietorofofspecialiststainedglassrestorersNorgroveStudiosLtd,commentedontheamazingperformanceofthetoolonawindowrestorationprojectatStJohntheBaptist’sChurchatAstonCantlow,SouthWarwickshire.

“WeusedtheAllsawtoclearoutanddeepenexistingglazinggroovesinastonewindow,sothatitwouldeasilyaccepttherebuiltpanels.Anapproximately74”runwasgentlychasedin20

minutes,whereascarryingoutthesametaskbyhandusinga½”tungstenchiselwouldhavetakenadayormoreandwouldnothavebeencompletedsothoroughly.

“Subsequentlyinstallingtherebuiltandrepairedglazingwasmade

significantlyeasierasallgrooveswereclearandopen.“TheAllsawcreatesfarlessdustthanaspinninggrindingdisc,

–whoseuseisoftennotallowedonheritagesites–withnothrowndebris,andisfarquickerandlessdamagingthanchasingoutagroovewithahammerandsmalltungstenchisel.

“AlthoughtheAllsawisnotsuitableforveryhardconcrete/cementbasedmortars,insoftermortarsithasthedelicacytoplungebetweenthestoneandglassline,thoughtheoperatorneedstobeskilledinitsuse.MasonswhodonotpossessanAllsawarejealouswhentheyseeitonsite.”

TheAllsawcanbeusedtocutbrick,mortar,softstone,wood,plasticandeventreerootscoveredinsoil.Ithassixbladesforvariousapplicationsandthisenablesmortarjointsasfineas3mmtoberakedwithease.

Inaddition,theAllsawhasuniquecapabilitiesforcrackstitching,re-pointingworks,damprepairs,chimneyrepairsandchasingmortarjoints.Individualbricksandstonescanalsoberemovedintactwithaprecisionandaccuracythatwasnotpreviouslypossible.

Formoredetailsontheaward-winningAllsaw,CallArbortechSales:08009800998q

Lim

e onabuildingandissetting,itre-absorbscarbondioxidebackintoitself.Thismeansthatlimehasalowcarbonfootprint.

Cementalsogivesoffcarbondioxideduringproduction,butneverreabsorbsit.Thecarbonfootprintforcementis100,orinotherwords,foreachtonneofcementproduced,atonneofcarbondioxideisalsoproduced.Itisestimatedthatcementproductionrepresentsaround8.3%ofman-madecarbondioxide.Achangefromcementtohydrauliclimeinthebuildingindustrycouldmakeamajorcontributiontothereductionofcarbonlevels.

Materialsbuiltwithlimecanalsoberecycled,oldlimemortarrubblecanbeusedinanewmix,andnon-hydrauliclimewilleventuallyreverttothesamematerialaswhenitwasquarried.q

The Armed Forces Memorial at Alrewas – a modern example of Lime in building

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n IlluminatingBritain’schurches,cathedralsandothermajorbuildingsforoverathousandyearswithitsbrilliantjewel-like

colours,stainedglasshasalonghistorydatingbacktotheseventhcenturyinEngland.

Bythe12thcentury,Britishstainedglasshadbecomeasophisticatedartform,createdusingtechniquesthathavehardlychangedsincethen.

Becausepaperwasscarceandparchmentveryexpensive,thefull-scaleoutlineofthedesignforastainedglasswindowwasdrawnoutonawhitenedtabletop.Thedesignerwouldindicatetheprincipaloutlinesofhisdrawing,theshapeandcolouroftheindividualpiecesofglasstobeused,andthepositionofleadstrips(calmes)thatwouldeventuallyholdallthepiecesofglasstogether.

Thepanesofcolouredglasswerecuttoshapewitha'grozingiron'andlaidontopofthedrawing.Throughtheglass,detailsofthedrawingsuchasfaces,handsanddraperycouldbeseenandthesedetailsweretracedwithanironoxidepigmentonthesurfaceoftheglass.

Afterpainting,thepieceswerefiredinasmallfurnaceforsufficienttimetofusethepainttothesurfaceoftheglass,andthenre-laidonthetableandassembledbytheglazier,usingstripsoflead,H-shapedinsection,whichallowedtheglasstobeslottedintothegroovesoneachside.Theintersectionsofalltheleadstripswerethensoldered,andanoilycementwasrubbedintoallthejointsinordertomakethemwatertight.Thepanelswerethenheldinplaceinthewindowopeningsbyagridofironbarssetintothemasonry.

Yellowstainwasdiscoveredaround1300andhadtheabilitytoturnwhiteglassyelloworblueglassgreen-addingawholenewpaletteofcolourforthestainedglassartisan.

StainedglasscontinuedtoflourishinEnglanduntiltheReformationoftheChurchinthe1540s,whenchangesinreligiousoutlookunderminedtheneedforsacredart.

Colouredglasscontinuedtobemadeinthe17thand18thcenturies,butthecraftgraduallydeclinedandskillswerelost.The19thcenturysawarevivalofinterestinrediscoveringthetechniquesofthemedievalglazier-ledbythosesuchastheantiquarianCharlesWinstonandthearchitectAWNPugin,whohelpedtore-establishthescholarlyprinciplesforaVictoriangothicrevivalofstainedglass.AsaresultofWinston'stechnicalexperimentsinthe1850s,thequalityofcolouredglassagainapproachedthatproducedbythemedievalglaziers.TodaymanyparishchurchesandcathedralscontainVictorianstainedglasswindowsofoutstandingqualityandcraftsmanship,andthisancientartcontinuestoflourishandevolveinmanydifferentforms.q

Illuminating history forover a thousand years

Glass

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Repeat theftslead to alternatives

Metalroofing

n Althoughthetheftofleadsheetfromecclesiasticalpropertiescontinuestobeawidespreadproblem,itisat

leastnotattheleveloftwoyearsagowhen200insuranceclaimspermonthwerebeingfiledasaresultofescalatingscrapmetalprices.

Whilstbetterawarenessandimprovedsecuritymeasureshavehadsomeeffect,withoutdoubtthemajorfactorinthisreductionofleadtheftshasbeenasaresultofthelimitplacedbyinsurersontheoverallvalueofclaimstheyarepreparedtocoverfromanysingleproperty.

Churchesfacingtheproblemofreplacingstolenleadsheetforthesecondorthirdtimearethereforebeingforcedtoconsiderotheralternativestotraditionallead,althoughanysuchchangerequiresapprovalfromtheDiocese.

Somehaveoptedforshortlifespansinglemembranecoveringswitha‘leadlike’appearance,withaviewtoreplacingitwiththerealthingoncemetalpriceshavefallenbelowthelevelatwhichtherisksoftheftareworthwhile.Traditionalistsfearthatthisissimplythethinendofthewedgeandonceinstalled,these‘plastic’substituteswillbeautomaticallyreplacedlikewithlike,asrequiredeveryfewyears.

Althoughtraditionalleadsheethasauniquelongtermperformancereputation,manyalsoseezincsheetorstainlesssteelasanacceptablealternativethatstillhasagoodlongtermperformancerecord.

Asalwayswithroofingmetals,theintegrityoftheinstallationwilldependuponthequalityoftheinstaller.Toooftenthisisanewexperienceforthoseresponsibleforthepropertywhoareadvisedbytriedandtrustedregularmaintenancepeople,notappreciatingthespecialistskillsrequiredtofittraditionalhardmetalroofing.

Ofcoursezincsheetinparticularisoftenspecifiedinitsownright,asshownintheaccompanyingphotographsofStMary’sChurchatBersham,showingasuperbroofsuppliedbyVMZincandinstalledbyCELLtd,basedinPeterboroughandmembersoftheFTMRC.

TheFederationofTraditionalMetalRoofingContractorsisthenationaltradeassociationforspecialistaluminium,copper,steelandzincinstallers.MembersarerequiredtoregularlysubmittheirworkforonsiteinspectionbyanexperiencedmemberoftheFTMRCCouncilwhowillcompleteacomprehensivevettingreportconfirmingthattherequiredstandardsarebeingmaintained.

AllmembersarerequiredtoworkinaccordancewiththeFTMRCGuide to Good Practice,designedtosupplementthemetalmanufacturer’sownspecifications.AllofthemajorEuropeanmetalmanufacturerssupportthequalitystandardsaimsoftheFTMRC.

Althoughperhapsregardedasmoremodernmaterialsforroofingandcladding,zincandstainlesssteel,alongwiththemorehistoricallyusedcoppersheet,certainlyhaveanincreasinglywidespreaduseintraditionalroofdesigns.Zincandsteelsheetshaverelativelylittlescrapvalueand,withanaturalgreyappearance,havebecomeacceptablereplacementsforstolenleadinmanyareas,particularlythehardhitecclesiasticalquarter.

However,forthemetaltoperformasitshould,itmustbeinstalledcorrectly.

Further details of the members of the FTMRC can be found at www.ftmrc.co.uk or by contacting the secretariat on01342 301627.q

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n Gearedtoraisingstandardsthroughsystemictrainingwithinthelightningprotectionandsteeplejackindustry,the

SteeplejackandLightningProtectionTrainingGroup(SLPTG)wasformedinAugust1974andwasinitiallyknownastheATLASTrainingGroup.

ThegroupworkcloselywithATLAS,theAssociationofTechnicalLightning&AccessSpecialists(previouslytheNationalFederationofMasterSteeplejacksandLightningConductorEngineers)toformulateanationalapprenticeshipscheme,aqualificationsystemandtoexpandthetrainingfacilitiesinassociationwithCITB(ConstructionIndustryTrainingBoard)attheNationalConstructionCollege,BirchamNewton,Norfolk.

Withmembershippredominantlyfromthesteeplejackandlightningprotectionsector,ATLAShasbeencontinuallystrivingtoimproveworkingpractices,technicalqualityandacceptedstandards.ThebenefitisnaturallyfeltbyATLASmembercompanies,butalsoextendstoclientsofmemberswhoworkwithinthisspecialistsector.

SLPTGtrainingrangesfromcoursesfornewconstructionapprenticesrightthroughallcrafttrainingtobespokesupervisoryandmanagementcourses.

TheSLPTGisrunbyanelectedCouncilofupto12peopledrawnfrommembercompanies.MrAnthonyColley,SLPGTrainingGroupMembersays:“Thetraininggroupdemonstratesthatwefullyunderstandthecommitmentandtheconsequentinvestmentthatisrequiredfortraining,becauseadaptable,skilledpeoplearevitaltothesuccessofourindustry.

“Thetraininggroupcanprovidecost-effectiveaccesstoafullrangeofcollegecourses,apprenticeshipsandwork-basedtrainingoptions.ThegroupcanidentifyandguideyouthroughthefullrangeofcoursesprovidedbyCITBandanynumberofspecialistprivatesectortrainersandconsultants.Weareanadvisorybodywhichrigorouslyreviewstheindustry’straininganddevelopmentrequirementsbygatheringinformationfromspecialistemployersandtrainingproviders.

“TheSLPTGwasformedtoorganiseandreviewtrainingforourindustry.However,sincetheintroductionofCSCScards

Ligh

tnin

gpr

otec

tion Achieving new heights in

specialist training- the Steeplejack and Lightning Protection Training Group

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workingcloselywithallthetrainingprovidersandourmemberstoensurethatthetrainingdeliveredtoourworkersisimprovingthequalityofourworkforceinallareas.Thiswillmeantheintroductionofmoredynamicformsoftrainingwhichwillelevatetheindustry.”

For further information call 01727 896081, email info@slptraininggroup.org.uk or visit web: www.slptraininggroup.org.uk.q

Lightningprotection

NEW Stannah Midilift XLplus brings democratic mobility to Devon churchn Stannah Lifts’ new Midilift XLplus has

brought true democratic mobility to The Avenue Methodist Church and Community Care Centre in Newton Abbot, South Devon.

Hot off the production line, this latest addition to Stannah Lifts’ range of vertical platform lifts has made movement so much easier for mobility compromised people. Every disadvantaged visitor – from a pushchair-pusher to a wheelchair-user – now has access to all functions and facilities, a capability which helps the Church meet DDA requirements.

In operation since March 2010, this deluxe Midilift model opens up first-floor amenities which comprise a large hall and kitchen. The lift car is entered via a small ramp and clear-glass door. The interior features a half-height rear mirror, ambient ceiling lighting, satin stainless steel and azure-blue panelling, and grey grip flooring for safety. Enclosed in a white, baked-enamel shaft for swift, cost-effective installation, the lift harmonises with the contemporary décor, bringing stylish and invaluable access to a multi-use environment.

The new Midilift XLplus contributes to the pastoral care and a host of other facilities

for the whole community, from pre-school children to teenagers, families and senior citizens. It is the ideal solution for buildings where it is not necessary, practical or possible to install a conventional passenger lift.

Lift users and budget-conscious, space-strapped owners appreciate the advanced range of ergonomic features such as automatic push-button controls for ease of operation; a partially enclosed car for an enhanced sense of safety; two car styles for a greater choice of finishes, and a new traction drive system for a smooth, quiet ride with an increased travel to 12m for loads up to 400kg.

The Property Committee Chairman praised the Church’s new Midilift XLplus: “This is a busy church and has to function on many levels. The arrival of our Midilift XLplus means that we have opened up the whole premises to the entire area – it truly is a ‘community’ lift! Thank you to everyone involved in this first class project – the Stannah installation team, Marks Building Services and Walker Newton Architecture.”

For more information about Stannah’s range of platform lifts, call Stannah on 01264 339090, or visit www.stannahlifts.co.uk. q

Productprofilethroughouttheconstructionindustry,thereisanimportantneedforthetraininganddevelopmentofthepeoplewithinourindustry.ThereforethetraininggroupworkedtirelesslywithCITBtomanufactureandimplementtheNationalVocationalQualification(NVQ)foryoungpeopleandexperiencedskilledworkers.

“TherehasbeenaconsiderablemarkedimprovementoverthelastcoupleofyearsinrelationtotheachievementrateoftheNVQ2forLightningConductorFittersandSteeplejacks.

“AnypersoncarryingoutthistypeofworkshouldhaveaCSCScardclearlystatingtheirpersonalCSCSregistrationnumberonthefrontandanyNVQlevelachievedaseitheralightningconductorengineerorsteeplejackonthereverse.

“Thegroupneedstodeveloptrainingforourindustryby

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Laser scanner comes intoits own forheritage work

n ATynesidesurveyingcompanythathasrecentlyinvestedinthelatest3Dlaserscanningequipmenthasdemonstrated

itssuitabilityforheritageandrestorationschemeswitharecentlycompletedprojectinvolvingasurveyofAlnwickCastle,Northumberland.

DigitalSurveys,establishedin1987,hasformerlybuiltitsreputationontraditionalsurveyworkwithmanyprestigiousclientsinitsportfolioincludingNorthumbrianWater,Corus,BalfourBeattyandBellway.

Thetwoprincipaladvantagesof3Dlaserscanningovertraditionaltechniquesarespeed–itvastlyreducesthetimerequiredonsite–andthequalityofdatagathered.

Itisalsopossibletohighlightthedifferencebetweenmaterialssuchasbrick,stone,mortarandevenvaryingstatesofrepair,makingitaninvaluabletoolwhenusedforrestorationandheritagework.

BenBennett,directoratDigitalSurveys,says:“AtAlnwickCastle,wehavebeensurveyingthekeepaspartofongoingconservationwork,aprojectwhichwewonafteracompetitivetender.SincecompletingthisschemewewerealsogiventheprojectofsurveyingtheAuditorsToweratthecastle.

“Laserscanningopensupahostofnewwaysforengineersormanagerstovisualiseaprojectinitstruelocationandthencollaboratewithotherpartnerstosharedimensionallyaccuratenotes.

“Thepotentialapplicationsforlaserscanningarevastand

Alnwick 3D survey image

Ben Bennett demonstrates the latest technology and the results of the 3D scan

Dig

itals

urve

ys

mightincludecreatinganaccuratearchitecturaldrawing,generatingrichorcomplicatedengineeringplans,digitallypreservingheritagesitesbycreatingasnapshotintime,asinthiscase,orevencarryingoutvirtualinspectionsofnuclearinstallations.

“Scanningaheritagesiteforthefirsttimeisliketakingitsfirsteverphotograph.Nomatterwhathappensinthefutureour3DscansatAlnwickCastlewillalwaysbethefirsttaken–givingthemaplaceinhistory.”

RobinSmeaton,buildingsurveyorforNorthumberlandEstates,Alnwick,whocommissionedthesurvey,commented“Wehaveusedothersurveyingmethodsinthepastforthistypeofworkbutthemainkeephasmanyshapesandchangesofdirection,sothedriverforusaspartofourconservationstrategy,wastobeabletoproduceworkingdrawingsthatcouldbesubmittedtoEnglishHeritageaspartofaplanningapplication.The3Dlaserscannerprovidedexactlythequalityofimageandaccuracyweneededforthispurpose.Iamsurewewillbeabletousethissystemagaininthefuture.”

SincecompletingtheprojectatAlnwickCastle,DigitalSurveyshasproduced3DlaserscansforEurope’slargestmulti-artsandconferencecentre,TheBarbicaninLondonandtheConstablesTowerattheTowerofLondon.q

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