Issue 42 summer 24 web - Flipbook - Page 35
where an indent repair was not necessary to restore say a
weatherproofing function. Aesthetically, this had the effect of accepting the stone mouldings in a slightly worn
state over restoring the original profile. Together with the
sharp contrast of new Bath stone and matching lime mortar, by comparison with the heavily weathered historic
stones, the repairs are honest and legible, from a distance
in places. The decisions was taken not to clean the historic stone to unify this, as it was often colonised by
lichens, of ecological value, presenting no harm to the
stone, and reflective of the wild landscape setting of the
Tower.
Windows
The restoration of the historic window openings and
proportions was key to reinstating the historic character
of the interiors, which had been eroded over time by later
interventions. Additional window openings created in the
1970’s were infilled and remaining original windows were
filled with three layers – recreations of the historic cast
iron grilles to the outer face, based on two surviving examples, in front of legibly new thermally-broken metal
double-glazed windows and, to the Museum rooms only,
pairs of timber shutters to the inside face, which blackout
light to protect the objects and open up to resemble the
historic panelled reveals to the interiors. With no historic
finishes surviving to the Museum rooms, these were transformed to contain the collection of objects owned by and
associated with Beckford – re-interpreted and presented
with full context of the story of Beckford’s life and his
involvement in the transatlantic slave trade.
Specialist Finishes
Many of the existing finishes were affected by mould from
humid conditions internally, or were simply very damaged
externally from high winds and rain. Much discussion was
held over the local repair and touching-in of specialist finishes, dating from the 1990’s, versus wholesale renewal,
the latter was generally preferred as it would result in a
more unified and improved overall appearance. In places
a wholesale approach was taken, to the re-marbling of the
stair drum and re-graining of the timber in the Belvedere,
and re-gilding to the primary elements of the lantern, but
elsewhere (and generally lower down the Tower) the option was taken to carry out local work or use less specialist
finishes to less accessible and visible areas of the lantern
to benefit future maintenance. A stable internal environment is afforded by the new heating and services, sustainably sourced from new air source heat pumps and
photovoltaic panels.
East Vault & Grotto Tunnel
Two key new parts of the visitor experience are formed
from previously hidden parts of the site – namely the former East vault (possibly a former coke cellar) and the
buried grotto tunnel. The cellar’s historic doors has been
excavated and new ramped access up into the cemetery
has been formed, creating a new entrance aspect to
the Museum and accessible interpretation space to allow
all visitors to experience the Tower, an inherently
non-accessible building.
Above, Beckford's Tower Lantern before scaffold dismantling Feb 2024 - Beckford's Tower and Musuem
Above, Beckford's Tower in 1844 - Beckford's
Tower and Museum
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