Crosby Granger Architects are the inspecting Architects to St. Helen’s Church, a Grade I listed church that was recently admitted onto Historic England’s Heritage at Risk Register due to the condition of the masonry. The magnesian limestone had been pointed in a cement based mortar that was causing the heavy and rapid deterioration of the solid core masonry. To the chancel particularly, this, coupled with ingress at the wallhead had caused the medieval earth-core masonry to wash out, and to saturate the stonework from the inside out.
Phase 1 was completed in 2017, and saw the chancel re-roofed to resolve the issues of water ingress at the wallhead. This then allowed a period of drying of the stonework before the second phase of works was commenced.
With thanks to a major funding grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, Phase 2 was completed in 2019 that included a substantial stone conservation exercise to the entire building envelope, including stone repairs, indents, mortar repairs, friable stone stabilisation, complete re-pointing and localised thrown rough-casting to areas of vulnerable rubble, followed by traditional limewashing to all of the medieval rubble masonry to add an additional layer of protection in the traditional style.
Through careful opening up works during the project development phase, and investigations and consultation with a Materials Analyst we developed a repair mortar that was both compatible with the existing mortar, some of which was earth-based, as well as being an appropriate match for the very soft magnesian limestone.
As part of the main stone conservation project we assisted in facilitating the activities schedule, which included craft skills training, interpretation information, investigative archaeological digs, and a new guidebook.
DISCIPLINES COVERED IN COMMISSION:
• Site evaluation and historic building assessments including structural surveys,
• Production and review of Heritage significance statements,
• Technical advice on details of conservation and design for listed buildings,
• Application and gaining of statutory consents,
• Consultation with Historic England regarding the church’s admission onto the Heritage at Risk Register and agreement of repair methods,
• Consultation with a range of professional disciplines.
Crosby Granger Architects are 10 Years old. As a massive thank you to our team we have sped over to Paris for a long weekend. Travelling by train is always a joy much like mixing lime, condition surveys and last minute drawing packages. With the Sacré-Coeur, Eiffel Tower and the Palace of Versailles on our agenda we will keep you posted. Any other Parisian ideas.....?
Nov 15
The team at @ukrestorationservices have now made safe the fire damaged remains of St Aloysius Chapel in County Durham. This is truly the beginning of an exciting journey of resurrection and conservation of this Lutjens Gem. What would you like to see happen here?
#heritage #conservation #greatestates #newbuilds #conservation #independentschools #worldheritagesite #lakedistrict #coniston #vernacular #ldnp #aonb #nationalpark #kendal #vernaculararchitecture #ecclesiastical #crosbygranger #design #spab #ushaw
Nov 14
Seventy six meters above the ground, Paul inspects the works at the 1873 Lister Mill in Manningham, Bradford. Grade II* listed and of an Italianate style of Victorian Architecture, it was dubbed Listers Pride by Samuel Lister who commissioned its construction as part of the largest textile mill in the north of England. These re-stabilization works will help conserve the structure while a long term use is established as part of the Mills conversion by @weareurbansplash
Thanks to @highlife_rope_access for their expertise in making these works possible.
#heritage #conservation #greatestates #newbuilds #conservation #independentschools #worldheritagesite #lakedistrict #coniston #vernacular #ldnp #aonb #nationalpark #kendal #vernaculararchitecture #ecclesiastical #crosbygranger #design #spab
Nov 11
Set in an urban context in a poor and deprived area of Gateshead, St Chad’s was built as a ‘Cathedral for the Workers’ and is now on the Historic England Heritage at Risk register. The looming exterior does not prepare one for the shimmering interior, rich with a mix of high-gothic and rich fixtures and fitting from the Arts and Crafts Movement.
Set within the idyllic village of Grasmere, right in the middle of the LDNP, the commission included research and understanding of the existing condition of the fabric and major alterations.
We were appointed to carry out the historical research, assessment, and strategic management review, and develop and publish a Conservation Management Plan for Furness Abbey and Piel Castle, both in the Guardianship of English Heritage.
