Issue 46 April 25 web - Flipbook - Page 24
Szerelmey were contracted for the restoration works to
the exterior of the listed building, which was unaltered
externally. Following extensive sampling, the restoration
work commenced with cleaning the brick and Portland
stone dressings using Nebulous and DOFF systems.
Several areas of repair were carried out to the brick and
stonework incorporating the installation of matching
bricks and isolated in-situ lime mortar repairs and repointing. The roof was renovated including the renewal of the
lead cupola and several slate repairs using matching
Penrhyn blue slates. Prior to the scaffolding being struck
a new Avistrand pin and wire pest control system was
installed. Internally, the space was reconfigured by others
to open up the reception area and improve the flow of
footfall and the administrative functions of the building.
simplicity of the new wing’s design with its solid Jura stone
cladding punctuated by stained glass windows to
the designs of Sir Brian Clarke, lends it a sombre but
protective presence. At night, as light shines through the
stained glass the building emits an ethereal, other-worldly
presence and a simple but beautiful balance of solid stone
to translucent light.
The external stone cladding, was sourced from Germany
and is a Jura limestone with some fossil content. Pattern
is articulated on the façade through bands and verticals
of cross-cut stone with a sandblasted finish that contrasts
with the smoother vein-cut wire brushed infilling ashlar,
described by the Where New Meets Old - The Restorationas “bones and skin”. The stone is self-supporting and
tied back into the CLT internal structure which reduced
embodied carbon, and time on site. Internally, the new
wing has provided space for the courtroom with a finely
crafted wooden barrel-vaulted ceiling, a jury room and offices and facilities for staff and grieving relatives. The interior, done by others, is largely wooden clad with fine
detailing and a palpable sense of spirituality, emphasized
by the stained-glass windows. The space is thoughtful,
peaceful and reflective. Adjacent to the new wing,
Szerelmey installed a reflecting pool in one half of the
Garden of Remembrance.
In addition to the restoration of the existing building a
new extension was added with all stonework designed,
supplied and installed by Szerelmey. The striking new
wing designed by Lynch Architects connects to the
historic building via a link corridor and is as simple as the
existing is ornate and decorative. In the architect’s own
words, the new wing “extends the language of the
Victorian Coroner’s courthouse in a series of internal and
external stone rooms …”. The striking stone wing has
provided much needed additional space to create a quiet
and private area for grieving relatives as well as space for
front of house public facing activities. The geometric
Below, picture credit Johan Dehlin
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