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SPAB
37 Spital Square
LONDON
E1 6DY

T: 020 7377 1644
F: 020 7247 5296
E: info@spab.org.uk

Charity No. 111 3753
Scottish Charity No. SC 039244
Company No.  5743962
VAT No. 577 4276 02
 
 

Architectural Aspects

Martin Hadlington BA DipArch RIAS, SPAB Scholar
 
All the main masonry elements of the surviving structure are of sound construction and are currently stable. Most of the larger curtain walls are affected by cement repointing carried out some time ago and subsequent water ingress through to the wall core.
 
The integrity of the walls can be repaired by methods and materials sympathetic to the original construction which will not be detrimental to the existing fabric and will preserve it for the future.
 
The building can be preserved for the future by sympathetic and minimal actions, for example:
  • Careful repointing of gables and wall heads
  • Careful repacking of with small stone pinnigns and mortar of the walls where cement pointing has caused water ingress and some loss of the deeper lime mortar binder.
Wallwalks, wallheads and gables, are the parts most vulnerable to weathering and the control of water ingress in these areas is vital. These areas can be capped with clay and turf, consolidated using lime mortar, or capped with stone.