No 42 Upper O Connell Street

Transcription

1 No 42 Upper O Connell Street Stitching up a building No 42 Upper O Connell Street designed by Richard Cassells is generally acknowledged as a building of national importance; it is the only remaining complete house from the original 1750 Sackville Place development and is a prime example of the middle phase of Georgian architecture in Ireland. The interior retains some of its original elements notably the rococo plasterwork attributed to Robert West the leading stuccadore of the period. The building has been modified in the intervening years and was incorporated into the newly developed Royal Dublin Hotel in the 1970s. Its upper floors were disused and the internal fabric suffered due to neglect and exposure to the elements. This adjoining concrete framed structure is to be demolished and No 42 will be retained and renovated. The immediate objective is to stabilise and conserve the house using appropriate materials and conservation techniques and to eliminate any negative impact on the protected structure during the course of the demolition of the adjoining buildings. These works were described in a methodology statement and adapted as necessary on site. Some of the elements of this work are temporary and will be removed when the adjoining site has been redeveloped; other elements are permanent and will help to conserve the building into the future.

2 Diary February Existing site material being boxed 2 site sketch showing joist strapping and plaster ceiling protection 3 sample of crack stitching 4 Sample of cintec anchor All sash windows have been numbered removed and stored in custom made boxes. Timber floorboards and skirting boards on second and third floor have been carefully numbered removed and stored (1) to allow survey of first floor and some second floor plasterwork ceilings below to identify the extent and location of ceiling support needed. The floor joists will be strapped together to stabilise the floors (2). Samples of crack stitching (3) and cintec anchor are set up on site for approval (3). The crack stitching will be used along the length of existing cracks in brickwork; the cintec anchor will form part of the bracing structure used to tie the building together front to back.

3 March corner stitching 5 crack stitching 6 on site material storage 7 plaster ceiling stabilising works Corner stitching (5) and crack stitching (6) installed where required. The corner stitching is used to literally stitch the building together and work with the cintec anchors to stabilise the structure. All boxes storing windows doors and floorboards are securely sealed and stored on site in safe locations (7). Ceilings are stabilised by applying battens were necessary and screwing through to joists above (8).

4 8 cornice support 9 removed bricks marked 10 bricks stored for reinstatement 11 site sketcjh of helifix ties April 2009 On completion of ceiling stabilising process and joist strapping floors are reinstated with temporary ply sheet covering screw fixed for ease of access. Timber batten supports applied to ceiling cornice off wall as temporary stabilisers (8) Bricks are identified on site for removal to accommodate cintec ties these will be carefully marked in order to be correctly reinstated after works (9). Removed bricks packed and stored safely on site (10). Helifix ties are applied locally where required to internal face of facade walls to prevent delamination of wall (11).

5 13 drilling of cintec anchors 14 reinstatement of bricks 15 rebuilding of parapet May 2009 All cintec anchoring are complete (13) and bricks re-instated (14). Parapet to front elevation re-built using existing bricks salvaged from site (15) and original parpet cappings are rebedded in mortar whose composition has been laboratory tested to match existing.

6 16 Onsite work on existing windows 17 survey photo showing misaligned windows June 2009 Existing Windows previously removed to accommodate bracing of building are overhauled on site (16). Sashes, casings and weights are restored to working order; any new sections made to match historical detail and to correct the windows installed in the last century. Order of windows altered following examination and consultation with Dublin City Council s Conservation Architect (17). July 2009 All temporary openings for structural bracing made good with lime putty plaster whose composition has been laboratory tested to ensure a match with existing original plaster; applied by specialist contractors using traditional method to prevent future cracking. This method requires that the plaster is laid down layer upon layer and each layer is wetted a number of times before subsequent layers are applied (18). 18 lime putty plasterwork to corner stitching drying

7 19 new 9 over 6 windows 20 protective netting to plaster ceiling 21 fenestration prior to renovation 22 fenestration post renovation