Current Issue
Purcell Miller Tritton completes work on Wallace Collection Phase IV: The East Wing Galleries
Working with John O’Connell Architects of Dublin, Purcell Miller Tritton has recently completed work on the Phase IV representation of The Wallace Collection’s East Wing Galleries, which re-opened to the public on 20th March 2012, creating a stunning backdrop for works by the Dutch Masters, including Rembrandt.
The extensive reconstruction project, which began in October 2010, has allowed the Wallace Collection to reinstate the original height of the Galleries, taking inspiration from their appearance in Sir Richard Wallace’s day and to introduce daylight from above to illuminate the space.
New international conference considers value of cultural heritage
Does cultural heritage really matter? Can it help improve towns and cities, and does it have a social impact on its citizens? What counts as cultural heritage tomorrow, and how will new technologies play a role in the visitor experience? A new international conference examining these key issues will be held in Norwich, UK in November 2012, bringing hundreds of international delegates from the cultural heritage sector to the historic city.
The conference, Culture Matters 2012, is being organised by the Norwich Heritage Economic and Regeneration Trust (HEART) and will take place over 14 – 16 November at venues across the historic city, including the iconic Norwich 12 buildings.
Read more: New international conference considers value of cultural heritage
Top Ten College Demands the Best in Architectural Metalwork
Holy Cross Sixth Form College, Bury, rated among the best in the country, demands the best even when it comes to its restoration work. Ken Brogden Ltd and its owner Jason Steinbach were called back in to carry out restoration fabrication work including the following:
New Balustrade to Sunken Garden.
The retaining wall to the sunken garden was beyond repair and the college had instructed a building firm to rebuild it.
Read more: Top Ten College Demands the Best in Architectural Metalwork
New 2012 Tree Preservation Order regulations
They come into force on 06 April 2012 - are you prepared? A short course to bring you up to date is available.
Following an extensive consultation exercise the Government has finally produced new Tree Preservation Order (TPO) Regulations. The Regulations were;
Made on 28 February 2012;
Laid before Parliament on 05 March 2012; and
Come into Force on 06 April 2012.
The new regulations apply to England only and aim to simplify the TPO system and they apply to all TPOs made since 1947. There are significant changes and the implications of these are serious for Local Planning Authorities.
This short course, 2 hours including a Q&A session is available online for just £95 + VAT from BASE UK. It is an interactive tutorial session delivered over the web. The tutor is Dr Dealga O’Callaghan FICFor., F.Arbor.A. who has extensive experience in this area of tree law.
Florence Institute reaches new heights
Liverpool’s Florence Institute looks is set to draw a crowd of dignitaries at its official ‘Topping Out’ Ceremony on Wednesday 23rd November at 11.00am.
The event highlights the culmination of ten years of work by Purcell Miller Tritton to restore the ‘Florrie’ to multi-functional community use, providing valuable recreational facilities for the city and reinstating the Institute’s external structure, which survived the Second World War but was badly damaged by arson some years ago and has since remained unoccupied.
Trends in Lighting for Period Houses - by Christopher Hyde the classical lighting expert
The vogue for decorating houses in the style and furnishings of a previous era was not always thought important by our ancestors.
Until the advent of mass production lighting in the Victorian period, most homes were still lit with
rush lamps. Decorative candle lights, such as chandeliers and wall sconces, were only to be found in the homes of the aristocracy and rich merchant classes. As these items were very expensive they were handed down from one generation to the next: even when the architecture of the house was altered in line with current fashion. When electricity was widely introduced into homes in the 1920’s, many of the existing fittings were simply adapted.
Left: the Ghent chandelier based on the original Dutch and Flemish style of chandelier in the 17th century.
Hence, a Regency house could have a Baroque chandelier and Chinoiserie table lamps, and a Victorian villa could boast French Empire styled chandeliers complete with military motifs or Egyptian sphinxes. I advocate a similar approach today, and recommend lighting is chosen as much to suit the furniture and soft furnishings, as the age of the property.
Read more: Trends in Lighting for Period Houses - by Christopher Hyde the classical lighting expert
The Restoration of St. Andrew’s Church, West Dereham, Norfolk
St. Andrew’s is considered by English Heritage to be one of the finest Medieval churches in England.
The round tower, for which it is noted, dates from Saxon times and is built from ironstone conglomerate masonry which is characteristic of the East Anglian region. The octagonal brick belfry on top of the tower was added in the 16th century. The church’s nave and chancel are largely unchanged since the perpendicular windows were fitted in the 15th century.
Read more: The Restoration of St. Andrew’s Church, West Dereham, Norfolk
Heating that's in keeping from Electrical Heating Solutions
Electric Heating Solutions of Bournemouth has recently completed one of the largest church heating and lighting installations since it was established over five-years ago,
The family-run business began trading in 2006 and has enjoyed an increase in business over the years, which reflects an impressive average of 250% improvement in turnover annually!
Electric Heating Solutions specialises in electric heating solutions for churches and chapels, and has created a series of ‘chandelier’ style infrared heaters that are integrated with a wonderful and ambient lighting system as well.
Read more: Heating that's in keeping from Electrical Heating Solutions
Stationers Hall
Restoration, Conservation and preservation are intrinsically linked and it is not often the 3 are employed separately.
Faced with a broken piece of stained glass can involve several methods of treatment:-
• To retain as much of the original glass as possible (conservation)
• To replace any missing fragments that are either too many and too small to make viable repairs with or to replace the entire piece (restoration)
• To protect from future harm all the collected fragments once a cohesive piece has been made from them (preservation)
A set of 5 stunning windows made by Mayer & Co. of London and Munich in the 1860’s had suffered some damage, but mostly a thick coating of soot from a fire in a nearby wooden screen. The windows depict the relevant greats of the age such as Tyndale and William Shakespeare; the main window depicting Caxton presenting his new printing press to the King.
A missing fragment requires replacement
New gargoyle for the Chapter House
Matt Barton, one of Salisbury Cathedral’s skilled stonemasons, has been given the rare opportunity to carve a new gargoyle for the Chapter House, replacing one which is badly weather damaged and no longer fit for service.
Matt said “It’s a great honour to have been asked to carve the new gargoyle, not many people get to do this. It’s a really interesting project, and I’m looking forward to going through the process and seeing the new gargoyle emerge from the stone.”
The original gargoyle has now been removed from the Chapter House and, in the first instance, will be mended so it can be used for reference. The new gargoyle will be modelled on it but with an improved design so it can better fulfil its purpose and achieve maximum long term survival.
Restoration begins on historic gates at Canterbury Cathedral
HISTORIC gates that have stood at the entrance to Canterbury Cathedral for more than 300 years have been removed.
Expert craftsmen will now spend months restoring the heavy oak ChristChurch gates, which date back to the Restoration of King Charles II.
Canterbury: Christchurch Gate old oak gates removed from Canterbury Cathedral for renovation
The gates have provided a welcome sight for tourists and pilgrims but have been battered by the elements.
Cathedral spokesman Sheena Daly said: "The need to conserve the gates was pressing, as there was a lot of damage, especially at the bottom, and water could get it which could make them rot."
Engineers from Canterbury-based Artful Logisticshttp://www.artfullogistics.com/ had the huge task of removing the heavy gates on Tuesday, October 11.
Read more: Restoration begins on historic gates at Canterbury Cathedral
Gradus Provides Wetherby Methodist Church with a Divine Flooring Solution
Gradus has supplied Genus carpet and Boulevard 6000 secondary barrier matting to Wetherby Methodist Church, as part of a refurbishment project.
Wetherby Methodist Church is located in the centre of Wetherby town and is used by the local community for church services, activities and functions. In June 2011, the church completed a major refurbishment to its entrance area, main congregation area and staircases.
Gradus’ Genus carpet and Boulevard 6000 secondary barrier matting were installed in the newly refurbished church, helping to create a fresh and contemporary environment for visitors.
Read more: Gradus Provides Wetherby Methodist Church with a Divine Flooring Solution
VISIT OUR ASSOCIATED SITES
