University House - Raising the Roof
Since December a major heritage project has been on site at University House to address some of the age-related issues on the 100 year old building. This work started as a re-roofing project following a number of leaks in separate areas of the old building, see Appendix 1, this has evolved by necessity to include repairs and replacements to the 25 chimney stacks, stonework rebuilding and repairs to the sandstone architecture, a repair/refurbish/replacement on all of the Edwardian sash windows.
As a Grade 2 Listed Building set in a Conservation Area this has been a particularly complex and challenging project – permissions have had to be gained from the Local Authority Conservation Officer and Planning Officer for any replacement items, ensuring slates, windows and other architectural detail such as chimney pots, flashings and reveals are kept the same as the originals so as not to affect the look of the building, particular attention to the site to protect or replace trees and shrubs has been necessary. Regular inspections from both offices continue, to ensure compliance.
The project has a strong client involvement with the Project Team working closely with the Facilities Manager to ensure that disruption is minimized, flexibility to get the work done is maintained and staff are kept informed.
Contractors working on the site have included a permanent Site Manager, a Clerk of Works, numerous scaffolders, half a dozen specialist heritage Roofers (generally father and son teams), decorators, joiners/carpenters,
The work includes refurbishing/replacing the sash mechanisms, splicing and repairing or replacing window frames and repainting. As for the roof all of the flat roof areas are being cleared checked to see where water is pooling, built up to reduce standing water and re-felted, the slate areas, where all the hand finished slates are of differing sizes and shapes, have been removed and where possible returned (unfortunately some slates have deteriorated beyond reuse due to their age and replacements have been sourced in keeping with the effect and differing sizes of the originals), new battens with waterproof membranes have also been installed.
Phase 1 – which encompassed the West and East Wing is due to be completed early May. Phase 2 is due to start May 2014 which is the North and South facing parts of the Old Building and is expected to be completed end July with Phase 3 – the final wing to be completed by October 2014.
A number of photographs showing the scale of the works are in Appendix 2.
During this work it has been necessary to decant staff into alternative accommodation, colleagues have responded very proactively to the challenge of working in an open plan environment in Elm House. Some staff have also evolved time-share arrangements with colleagues in order to utilize occupied office space within University House for meeting students.
Feedback has been requested from those affected by Phase 1 of the works and can be found in Appendix 3 this highlights both the positives and the challenges that colleagues have experienced.
On balance this unavoidably disruptive project has been made less challenging to the School from the efforts of colleagues to adapt to change and the good communication from the Project Team through to colleagues within the School.
This work should ensure that University House continues looking as impressive a building for the next 100 years.