Conservation and refurbishment of an existing church (protected structure) to provide a new library, lecture room and community facilities.  The work combined a careful investigation and conservation of the existing structure with a particular concern for the rescue of ordinary materials, making a distinctive intervention into it to hold the new facilities.  The project involved the following main structural elements:

• Introduction of new mezzanine structure vertical supports and associated foundations
• Repairs to stonework using carefully selected stone repair techniques following a consistent conservation strategy
• Remedial works to roof timbers
• Light Box (The new Steel frames ‘Light-box’ was constructed in a steel frame and lifted to rest on top of the bell tower. The box utilised inward steps in the existing stone plinths and the repaired parapet wall to provide support.  The feature is supported in a manner that created minimum intervention to the existing tower and is reversible from a conservation perspective)

Services provided by BMCE:

BMCE provided full Civil/Structural Engineering Services as part of a multidisciplinary design team, including structural appraisals and condition schedules, assessment and integration of the existing building in the new design, preparation of planning package, design of structural and civil engineering elements of the project, preparation of tender documentation, evaluation of tenders, monitoring on site during construction stage, cost control, reporting, Health & Safety Designer duties, design compliance verification and other related services associated with the project execution and delivery.

Awards

Shortlisted for World Architecture Festival Awards 2009

RIAI Award for the Best Conservation/Restoration Project 2010 

Highly-Commended in OPUS Restoration Project Awards 2010

Special Mention at European Union Prize for Cultural Heritage/Europa Nostra Award 2011