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.