A Traditional Approach To Conservation

Old Cavendish Laboratory, Cambridge

 
Client: The Chancellor, Masters & Scholers of the Univesity of Cambridge
Value: £232k
Duration: 14-16 weeks 

Haymills Conservation recently commenced re-roofing works and refurbishment of the Graduate attic rooms at Old Cavendish Laboratory. The prestigious site forms part of the University of Cambridge’s department of Physics and is located in the new Museum Site in the city centre.

The conservation team will use a temporary roof to protect the building whilst undertaking the re-roofing works. The location will prove a key challenge, as the site is sandwiched between Cambridge colleges Corpus Christi and Pembroke College, making accessibility problematic.     

Further details of the works include stripping down and conserving the original oak roof trusses in the attic, stonework conservation involving part replacement of the parapet and  installation of new heating and electrical services.

The Cavendish Laboratory was opened in 1874 as a teaching laboratory. It is named after William Cavendish, 7th Duke of Devonshire, who was the Chancellor of the University and gave money to build the laboratory. Since its foundation, the laboratory has appointed great Cavendish professors who, between them, have completely transformed our understanding of the world of physics today.

Bluntisham Baptist Church, Bluntisham

Client: The Minister & Deacons of Bluntisham Baptist Church

Duration: 22 Weeks
Value: £247k
 

Haymills Conservation recently commenced works to extend the existing hall at Bluntisham Baptist Church, which originates back to the early eighteenth century. Several graves were removed and re-interred then reburied to allow for the extension.

The conservation team undertook an archaeological watching brief in conjunction with the excavations. Details of the programme include two new meeting rooms, WC and disabled facilities, new storage and new windows to the existing fabric.

The original meeting house of the church was built in 1788, then extended ten years later to accommodate the crowds.  In 1805, a vestry was added to the back, and in 1817 a gallery was built behind the pulpit for the Sunday School.

The church improved the interior in 1874 to meet the needs of it Victorian congregation and to make essential repairs to the old roof. As much as possible of the old building was used in the erection of the new chapel, so what is seen today is not entirely new building not is it the old one. The external appearance is the same but the interior ended up being considerably altered.   

St Mary's Church, Ely

Client: St Mary’s Parochial Church Council
7 weeks
Value: £40k
 

Haymills Conservation successfully completed both internal and external repairs to this Anglican Church adjacent to the cathedral which is located in the heart of Ely.

External works essentially comprised of careful repairs to the North Aisle & Chancel roof including lead slate and tile repairs, the installation of a new box gutter and replacement of window mullions.

Furthermore, honest repairs were undertaken to the decorative terracotta tiles which included replication of the original encaustic patterned tile. The key challenge here was sourcing suitable appropriate matching material to replicate the authentic detail.

The team also undertook conservation of the North Aisle Clerestory Windows. Details included new clunch mullions, mortar repairs to tracery detail, jambs and sills. Shelter coating was also undertaken and repairs to leaded lights.

Farmhouse, Castle Camps

Client: Private
Duration: 26 Weeks
 

Haymills Conservation has successfully carried out sensitive fire reinstatement and alteration works to a fascinating Grade II Listed farmhouse located at Castle Camps, following a fire that damaged almost a third of the house in December 2007.

As a result of the extent of the fire damage, the property was in desperate need of careful repair whilst being restored to exceptional standards and luxury finishes. Highlights of the work include extensive repairs to the distinctive timber frame of the house, specialist lime hair plastering and repairs, rebuilding of the chimney and ethical low pressure cleaning of fire damaged brickwork and the oak frame.

The team also successfully replaced oak flooring throughout, as well as internal doors, new windows, solid oak kitchen and utility suites and kitchen tops with impressive results.

The location of the property known as Castle Camps carries important historical significance as it was originally the site of a Saxon Manor once owned by a King’s Theyn named Ilwin, who was once of the largest land owners in the county.  William the Conqueror confiscated this land in 1068 and his family consequently sold it at a later date to Sir John Skinner, Lord Mayor of London.  Following this it was bought by Thomas Sutton who endowed it to Charterhouse, who in turn sold all the estate except Castle Farm and Manor in 1919.

The Old Gorhambury, St Albans

Client: English Heritage

Duration: 12 Weeks

Value: £110K

Our team have recently completed stone conservation works to a ruined Elizabethan mansion, a rare structure located near St Albans in Hertfordshire and 1 mile to the West of  the Roman Verulamium.

The house was built between 1563 and 1570 and is the remains of a once great Tudor mansion built for Sir Nicholas Bacon, Queen Elizabeth's Lord Keeper, and twice visited by the Queen. The impressive two-storey South Porch survives, along with parts of the hall, chapel and clock-tower.

Working closely with English Heritage, R H Partnership Architects and a team of archaeologists, Haymills Conservation successfully carried out detailed recording, condition surveys and delicate conservation works to this rare survival of English Baroque architecture.

Comprehensive archaeological recording of the standing remains were also carried out in-house. Conservation treatments carried out included careful consolidation  of clunch stone dressings, original wall plaster finishes and flint and brick walling.

Conservation treatments carried out included careful consolidation  of clunch stone dressings, original wall plaster finishes and flint and brick walling and careful conservation of limestone.
 

Kenwood House, Hampstead, London

Client: English Heritage
Duration: 26 weeks

Haymills Conservation has won an exciting project on behalf of English Heritage to re-roof the West Wing of Kenwood House.
 

This grand neoclassical mansion was remodelled by Robert Adam between 1764-73. It stands at the edge of Hampstead Heath in North London with panoramic views over London.

The central core of the house was built in the early 18th century. Then in 1754 it was acquired by Lord Mansfield, the Lord Chief Justice, and one of the great British lawyers.

Working alongside Caroe & Partners, the team has commenced repair works which will see the west wing stripped of old slates and re-roofed using Burlington Westmorland slates and new falls to the lead box gutters.  Further associated building repair works will also be completed which include repairs to the ornate canopy and window repairs and re-decoration.