SCHEDULED MONUMENTS

Cherishing Heritage

Monuments are postcards of the past, characterised by their rarity, uniqueness and originality, and our passion at ByrneLooby Conservation is to preserve them, so they remain with us for many more centuries. In the United Kingdom, a scheduled monument is a nationally important archaeological site or historic building protected against any unauthorised changes. We have been instrumental in preserving the future of many landmark buildings, sites and scheduled monuments. The dovecote at Charleston Manor is a circular structure dating from around 1220. It had retained its characteristic original features but had deteriorated into poor condition following water damage and previous crude repairs. ByrneLooby worked closely with the appointed architects to inspect the existing fabric. We provided detailed conservation-focused repairs to the complicated ancient roof structure and cellular nesting boxes, which were successfully approved by the English Heritage Inspector of Ancient Monuments. Cleopatra’s Needle in London is a well-known 3500-year-old Landmark and a Grade I listed structure. The City of Westminister appointed ByrneLooby to advise on its structural condition and to recommend appropriate specialist conservation to ensure stability and condition. Working on such projects as the 17th Century (Grade II*) Maltings at Thomas Alleyne School, it is a privilege to assess and stabilise this English heritage monument, enabling its removal from the ‘Buildings at Risk’ register for the first time in years. Essentially our philosophy is that of the SPAB (Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings): using conservative repair, i.e., retaining the existing structure where practicable and the insertion of any new additions only when essential. We conduct careful research of the building’s history, any earlier alterations and conduct visual inspections of the structural fabric to inform our strategy for repair. Our conservation engineering consultants have expert knowledge of materials and construction and understand the mechanisms of potential collapse and building degradation. This experience is vital when addressing heritage structures, whether intact, or in the wake of a catastrophic events to develop appropriate remedial solutions to maximise salvage and mitigate any future risks.

Charleston Manor Dovecote, Seaford, UK

The Maltings, Thomas Alleyne School, Stevenage, UK

Charleston Manor Dovecote

OVERVIEW

The dovecote at Grade II* Charleston Manor, circular in form and dating from about 1220, had retained its characteristic original features but had deteriorated into poor condition, following water damage and previous crude repairs.

PRIMARY ROLE

ByrneLooby worked closely with Peter Inskip and Peter Jenkins Architects to inspect the existing fabric. We provided detail conservation-focused repairs to the complex ancient roof structure, and cellular nesting boxes to the approval of the English Heritage Inspector of Ancient Monuments. Location: Cuckmere Valley, Seaford Capital Value: Undisclosed Project Name: Charleston Manor Dovecote Country: UK Client: Peter Inskip and Jenkins Architects