Tib Street, Manchester

Tib Street, Manchester, originally uploaded by fotofacade.

Some comments extracted from flickr about this image make interesting reading. It is sad to see such a building disappear and yet fascinating to voyeuristically for a short moment in time peep into part of somebody's life and see the material remains of their existence. I imagine them strutting there stuff like an actor on a stage set.

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kayork Pro User says:

This sort of picture always makes me sad.
Posted 24 hours ago.

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fotofacade Pro User says:

It is sad - but also fascinating to see the blueprint of the whole elevation of a house and to think that somebody actually lived there - it was a home.
Posted 24 hours ago. ( permalink | delete | edit )
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linfrye Pro User says:

My gracious ....it is always intriguing to see how others think and live ... I wonder as your words above prompt me, how these folks got through their days, what they thought, felt, did. Your photo is very evocative ....and prompts much thought...
Posted 21 hours ago. ( permalink | delete )
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fotofacade Pro User says:

Yes Lin - it's like taking the front off a dolls house and having a peep. This sort of stuff always fascinates me.

Posted 21 hours ago. ( permalink | delete | edit )
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Claire Howson Pro User says:

Fantastic shot of dereliction and development. It's great that you can still see the fireplaces.

Posted 3 hours ago. ( permalink | delete )
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jonwild Pro User says:

I like the doll's house analogy, it is fascinating to peek inside and imagine how it was. Incidentally, Matthewbailey has a great example of eclectic decoration from a different time laid bare here.

Building Conservation Portal More Links

More links are being added every day to the beta version of my Building Conservation Portal. Here's an example of the latest list of building types:

Banks

Bridges

Canals and Canal Architecture

Castles

Cathedrals

Churches

Churches Classical Only

Churches Gothic Only

Domes

Fountains and Fountain Architecture

Gravestones and Churchyards

Industrial Architecture

Markets

Mills

Railway Architecture

Timber Framed Buildings

Towers

Town Halls

Universities

Urban

Building Conservation Portal (Beta)

Just to let you know of my latest escapade online - fotofacade's Building Conservation Portal (beta) - for images, commentary and links for the historic environment. It's in beta format at the moment - but there's tonnes of free information and advice including a whole raft of themed images on building conservation to view for free. I'm adding links daily as I come across them including fresh image content as its taken.

It has been built on the remarkable web 2.0 protopage platform - thanks to them for a great idea. This gives the pages flexibility for the user - ie in moving stuff around to suit you. Go to my site and try it!

For the future I'm going to add themed pages e.g the use of lime in conservation etc.

If your a conservation officer, architect or surveyor - or indeed a homeowner with a project - then this site is ideal. It also includes links to my del.icio.us account for conservation. Photo editors with projects about the historic environment can find stock photography to suit most situations.

Here's a brief example of links to images you can find on the site

SEARCH ALL IMAGES

General Conservation

Building Archaeology

Construction Themes

Contrasts - New and Old

Details: Chimneys

Details: Doors and Doorways

Details: Door Furniture

Details: Fanlights

Details: Fire Marks

Details: Gables

Details: Hopper Heads

Details: Rainwater Goods

Details: Roofs

Details: Windows

Fire in Buildings

Historic Architecture

Materials: Brick

Materials: Lead Sheet

Materials: Metal

Materials: Plaster, Lime Mortar, Roughcast

Materials: Stone

Materials: Stucco

Materials: Terracotta

Materials: Wood and Timber

Pattern and Decoration

Processes: Lead Burning

Refurbishment and Restoration

Regeneration

Re-Use

Rot and Decay

REVISITED: LIME'S FINE

The above image shows a photo I took of Lime plaster at Kilpeck Herefordshire.

Around about September 2001 I was taking my post graduate diploma in Building Conservation at the College of Estate Management in Reading, UK.

One of the most memorable occasions was the Lime Day at Sherborne Estate (National Trust) Gloucestershire. It was hosted by Rory Young an expert in the use of lime renders and decorative plaster. One of his projects was the new Millenium Ceiling at Wilbury Park in Wiltshire commissioned by Miranda, Countess of Iveagh.


It was at this event that I learn't about the remarkable qualities of Lime mortar. In most applications it is far superior to modern cement mortar (but admittedly is a little more complex to mix and apply). With regards to historic building refurbishment and renovation it is almost always that Lime Mortar is recommended for use where required. There are a number of reasons for this. Firstly, older buildings are often built without wall cavities, and for centuries have relied upon the porous qualities of stone, brick and lime render to help aid evaporation of dampness.

Concrete mortars added later to historic buildings have had the effect of forming a waterproof shield which traps moisture within the walls and causes rising damp and mould growth. Lime mortar therefore, has a wicking effect. It also is softer than modern cement mortars and is able to move with time. Lime mortars used in the construction of Durham Cathedral enabled the slow evolutionary settlement of the massive piers over a period of 20 years until the structure found its own level. Lime mortar is also self leaching. Over time with the effects of rainwater travelling down its surface it is self - healing. Over time Lime mortars take on a beautiful natural ochre colour.

Now Lime Mortars are even being discussed for use in Newbuild. Ian Pritchett takes up the argument in this article

Further Links:

Interesting Research by the University of Bristol

A Conservation Engineers View on the use of Lime Mortar

My del.icio.us links for LIME

Building Conservation Portal (Beta)

Andy Marshall is a professional architectural photographer. Most images can be downloaded 24/7 at Alamy as stock photography

1. Website
2. Portfolio
3. Search 7000 stock images....
4. Stock photography architecture themes....
5. Video's
6. The ARCHIPHOTOGRAPHICAL OASIS
7. Building Conservation Portal
   

All images are copyright Andy Marshall and must not be used without prior permission.

ARCH

To engage the past in the present is to construct a vital link to the future

Dating Old Buildings

I must admit that I am fascinated by architectural history, especially when the clues have to be found within the building's structure. There are many clues including change of material, orientation, style and colour. Above is a photo I took of a church in yorkshire showing two phases revealed by the change in style. On the left we have the later perpendicular style of gothic architecture and on the right we have the earlier decorated (geometric) style.

There is a great introduction to dating old buildings by Frank Kelsall on the Building Conservation Website


Andy Marshall is a professional architectural photographer. Most images can be downloaded 24/7 at Alamy

More about Andy Marshall
Contact Andy Marshall
Search all of Andy Marshall's Images

All images are copyright Andy Marshall and must not be used without prior permission.

Restoration

This is an image I took last year of the restoration of a historic Victorian Roof in Lancashire UK. The restoration of a historic building can add up to more than the sum of its parts. It can lead to an increase in local pride, providing a focus for the community. It can also provide the spark to regenerate the surrounding locale and therefore improve the economy of an area.

Here in the UK we have a TV programme called 'Restoration' which puts forward endangered buildings within communities for restoration. The buildings are voted for by the public and the winning building recieves grants to contribute towards its restoration. To some this may seem cruel, but this programme has raised the profile of many of the 'losing' buildings and of the historic environment in general.

You can view the most recent contenders for restoration here and find out more about the programme

Here is the English Heritage Buildings at Risk Register

Andy Marshall's images with 'Restoration' as a keyword

Andy Marshall is a professional architectural photographer. Most images can be downloaded 24/7 at Alamy

More about Andy Marshall
Contact Andy Marshall
Search all of Andy Marshall's Images

All images are copyright Andy Marshall and must not be used without prior permission.

New Life Out of Old

Here is a photograph showing a vibrant use of contemporary archtecture in Sporenburg Amsterdam, Holland. It has enlivened and regenerated a whole swathe of industrial islets just out of the centre of Amsterdam. Here a solution has been found through the use of exciting and rooted architecture a way forward with a place which had lost its soul.

Talking of souls I am cheered to see a similar project taking shape in London, but this project takes things one step further. It was Stephen Gardiner's article in Monday 17 July Times which alerted me to it.

The project is St Paul's Church, Onslow Square, South Kensington, London. The church is to have a contemporary extension designed by no other than Norman Foster. It is to house a family life centre, theology college, bookshop, cafe and lecture theatre. Not only is this project revealing in the obvious changes in floor plan to reflect the changing liturgy and needs of the church in the C21st; but also, it is remarkable that this brand spanking shiny new C21st space is being added to a Grade II listed building.

The 'spirit' behind Historic Buiding Legislation has moved on a pace over the last 5 years. Previously it was extremely difficult (but not impossible) to have your own century represented on a historic building (especially a church) - even though most of our churches are an organic hotch potch of most centuries.

Now with contemporary design and new materials and a developing conservation philosophy we are witnessing a new era of regeneration where architects such as Norman Foster can help re-invent an enliven our most cherished of structures.

Andy Marshall is a professional architectural photographer. Most images can be downloaded 24/7 at Alamy

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Contact Andy Marshall
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All images are copyright Andy Marshall and must not be used without prior permission.

York Minster East Front

This is a photo I took whilst on a tour organised by the Yorkshire Regional Group of the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings (SPAB). It is the East front of Yorkshire Minster which is undergoing refurbishment. It is a costly exercise and they have set up a campaign here to try and raise funds.

In their words:

'York Minster receives no direct government funding so the work of conserving and repairing the fabric has to be funded by the Minster itself. In the same way, the Minster’s educational work through the Centre for School Visits, the Library and Archives, and the work of the Minster Choir have to be funded through self-help. This will be an on-going challenge for successive Deans and Chapters, and so, on March 15th 2005, a Development Campaign was launched.
The aim of the Campaign is to raise £30,000,000 over the next ten years in order to pay for specific projects and to establish an endowment fund for music and education.
The work to the East Front and the Great East Window is a major project in terms of engineering and of conservation. The stonework is in a very fragile state; close inspection has shown that many stones have to be replaced. The East Window is the largest piece of mediaeval art in the world and is of major international importance. All of the glass, originally painted in the early 15th century, has to be removed, cleaned, re-leaded and repaired, and a new protective layer of clear glass has to be installed. In all of the conservation work and of the necessary historical research, the Dean and Chapter are fortunate to be able to turn to the greatest experts both nationally and internationally.
York Minster is a world-class building and it must be maintained in the best possible condition so that future generations may be able to enjoy and marvel at this astonishing creation.
The specific projects, and their costs are as follows:
FABRIC COSTS

Conservation and repair of the East Front stonework
£9,890,000
Conservation and repair of the Great East Window
£6,030,000
Chapter House buttresses 4,5 & 6
£2,370,000
Other stonework
£1,040,000
Other glazing work
£3,400,000
Estimated total of fabric work
£22,730,000


MUSIC & EDUCATION COSTS

The choral services of the Minster
£414,392
The Library and Archives
£203,678
The Centre for School Visits
£74,472
Annual expenditure on music and education
£692,542'

You can visit the York Minster website and read more about the campaign here

You can view more of my images of York Minster here

You can view more of my images of York here


Andy Marshall is a professional architectural photographer. Most images can be downloaded 24/7 at Alamy

More about Andy Marshall
Contact Andy Marshall
Search all of Andy Marshall's Images

All images are copyright Andy Marshall and must not be used without prior permission.

Selby Abbey Minstrels

Here is a wonderful example of C21st Century craftsmanship on some recently restored parapets at Selby Abbey. They're almost life like and the expressions have been caught perfectly.

To view a bigger photo of this go here

Andy Marshall is a professional architectural photographer. Most images can be downloaded 24/7 at Alamy

More about Andy Marshall
Contact Andy Marshall
Search all of Andy Marshall's Images

All images are copyright Andy Marshall and must not be used without prior permission.

Lead Craftsmanship

Here are some of the tools of the trade - for lead sheet work that is.

From top left we have a drum mallet, bossing mallet (egg shaped), chase wedge, snips, seaming pliers, drum mallet (rubber), bending stick, setting-in-stick and flat dresser.

This image was taken at the Heritage Skills Weekend at Fountain's Abbey, Yorkshire.

Andy Marshall is a professional architectural photographer. Most images can be downloaded 24/7 at Alamy

More about Andy Marshall
Contact Andy Marshall
Search all of Andy Marshall's Images

All images are copyright Andy Marshall and must not be used without prior permission.

Saint Ann's and the Beetham Tower

Here is a photo of contrasts with the C18th tower of Saint Ann's in Manchester UK (which originally dominated the skyline of Manchester) and the massive bulk of the recently completed Beetham Tower (which now dominates the skyline of Manchester, Salford, and surrounding districts).
More images of the Beetham Hilton Tower

More images of Saint Ann's (and Saint Ann's Square)

Kings Manor once again

Continuing my day out at Kings Manor

Once we had finished in the Chapter House Roofspace we walked back along a gulley section adjacent to the Chapter House Roof and I noticed this wonderful record of work welded onto the side of the Chapter House Roof. Lead sheet covering is a complex and difficult craft to encompass and I always think that it is one of the most beautiful roof coverings for old and contemporary buildings alike. It is great to see that the craft is still alive.

Over the weekend starting 19th May I will be at a Heritage Skills Weekend at Fountains Abbey in Yorkshire where one of the stalls will be showing some aspects of Lead Craftsmanship and also showing how young people can get involved in the craft. More later...

Images of lead roofs and lead work here

There is more information about the Chapter House and a larger photograph of the vaulting at my photoblog site here

There are more events organised by the SPAB Yorkshire Regional Group including visits to Kirkstall Abbey in May, Nostell Priory and Knedlington Old Hall in June, and Darnall Crucible Shops in September.

SPAB website is here
Conservation Courses at University of York Kings Manor
You can view all of my images of York Minster here
You can view all of my images of York here

Kings Manor continued...

To see the original Kings Manor Post click here

If you look at yesterday's post you can see the vaulting to the Chapter House at York Minster - the above photo is taken in the roof space directly above the vaulting. It is an incredible maze of medieval timbers which after a little careful study reveal an intelligent use of design to transfer the weight of the leaded roof to the octagonal side walls.

There is more information about the Chapter House and a larger photograph of the vaulting at my photoblog site here There are more events organised by the SPAB Yorkshire Regional Group including visits to Kirkstall Abbey in May, Nostell Priory and Knedlington Old Hall in June, and Darnall Crucible Shops in September.

SPAB website is here Conservation Courses at University of York Kings Manor You can view all of my images of York Minster here You can view all of my images of York here

A Day Out At Kings Manor York

Handmade Brick Moulds courtesy of York Handmade

Over the weekend I went on a SPAB (Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings) regional event at Kings Manor in Yorkshire organised by Ray Wilson of the Spab Yorkshire Regional Group. It was a magnificent event which was well attended.

I am a member of SPAB and also lucky enough to be a freelance photographic contributer to their magazine Cornerstone.

I had a wonderful day meeting like minded people who have a love for our historic built environment.

The day was split into two halves. In the morning I visited the skills and crafts exhibition attended by members of the York Consortium For Conservation and Craftsmanship, and in the afternoon we had a tour of the Masons Loft, Chapter House Roof and East Front of York Minster. I took quite a few photographs and over the next few days I will introduce you to some of the things that I saw.

The first 'stall' I visited at the skills event was a brick making demonstration by York Handmade. As well as the quality of the handmade bricks, I thought it was fascinating to see both the original pattern moulds and the end result:-

Many people think that bricks are a recent material used for construction, but they have been used for thousands of years - in fact you can see evidence of Roman Bricks in the wall surrounding the ruins of Saint Mary's Abbey.

More photo's from the event tomorrow...

There are more events organised by the SPAB Yorkshire Regional Group including visits to Kirkstall Abbey in May, Nostell Priory and Knedlington Old Hall in June, and Darnall Crucible Shops in September.

SPAB website is here
Conservation Courses at University of York Kings Manor
You can view all of my images of York Minster here
You can view all of my images of York here

Note: Unfortunately I did not get all the names people and companies who attended the event. Members can be viewed at the York Consortium For Conservation and Craftsmanship, or if you took part, please drop me a line and I will gladly give an honourable mention to companies and people shown in the photos.

Pathetic Fallacy?

I don't know what 'school' of architectural photography I belong to, but some might say that my personal work is a little indulgent at times.

I like to work on relationships between things, and express an opinion by setting up visual indicators of feeling. Such as this image taken last week. It is of our local war memorial and our local former grammar school (now being demolished). Two inanimate objects provide an extra dimension to the photography. Indulgency or photographers craft?

Whatever it is, I feel much the better for it after capturing the essence of my thoughts.

Building Archaeology

In my line of work I get to see many buildings in various states of undress and I really enjoy seeing a building partly built (or sad to say) partly demolished.

Secrets that have been encapsulated within the plaster walls are suddenly revealed. Things move on and so do construction techniques, so I believe that it is really important to try and record how a window frame was incorporated into a brick wall, or a voussoir was placed.

When a building is demolished, to me there seems to be a process of undoing, a releasing of inert energy, mass and knowledge; and more significantly a cultural uprooting.

Alison Thornton

I met Alison whilst working on a commission today and I think that she has a fascinating job. I really felt like talking to her all day but she needed to concentrate a little. Alison is a Paint Conservator and works for Hirst Conservation.

Today, Alison was peeling back a small section of wall to reveal all the previous layers of pattern and decoration. It must be a painstaking job and I imagine you need to be really patient (she was literally picking small flakes of paint away from the wall and depositing them into a bag). I imagine the job is much like a forensic scientist - but there is not only science involved, there is also an appreciation of art. It must be a lovely feeling stripping back time to see the work of our forebears. I believe that Alison's work is a significant part of our need to understand and be rooted into the culture of our ancestors - to really see and feel what they really saw and felt, to grasp their appreciations and anxieties.

Pattern and decoration can give us so much of an insight into this.

River Aire Leeds

I am amazed at the tide of redevelopment and regeneration of the industrial architecture along the River Aire in Leeds near to the centre. This photo is one of my latest sales to a magazine in the UK.

More photos of Leeds

Craftmanship

It's great to see that craftsmanship is still alive and well in the UK. Here we have a burgeoning trade of skilled stonemasons. This beautiful piece of stonework is a pinnacle made for the medieval church of Saint Chad's in Rochdale.