Client: English Heritage
Work involved: Concrete Repairs works to Grade 1 & 2 Listed building.
Date: June 2017 - November 2017
The Brief
Hurst castle was built by Henry VIII in 1544 as one of a chain of coastal fortresses. It is situated on the seaward facing end of a shingle spit that extends 1.5 miles out from Milford-on-Sea. Now an English Heritage site open to the public it is a Grade 1 & 2 listed building. Due to its age and coastal location environment, some structural and cosmetic restoration works needed to the gun placements, searchlight and directors buildings on the main flat roof. This included lots of render patch repairs which as well as being structural had to match original colour, and one of the roof structures the whole building has twisted from its original position.
The Solution
Removal and replacement of structural RSJs (Rigid Steel Joists) along with structural concrete repairs carried out to the soffits, walls and staircases. But the most important element was getting the new work to blend in and match in with the existing style and finishes. Countless samples were made and on site blending to create specially blended renders using cement and sand mixed with red and yellow brick dust or charcoal dust to achieve sympathetic renders which we could use to match colour and texture.