Ventnor | Isle of Wight

Project Scope: Restoration following building collapse

Project Industry: Extension/Renovation, Residential

Following the collapse of a Victorian property’s four storey bay in July 2017, architecture and project management specialists Arid Design were commissioned to repair and restore the building.

The house had been built in the 1880s on the site of an old mill and in the face of prevailing winds from the sea and salt-laden air, which eventually caused the timber lintels supporting the bay to decay.

Conservation officers required the building to be restored to its original appearance, so a perfect match between old and new materials was vital. Whilst some of the bricks could be salvaged, many had been damaged beyond repair, so Arid turned to Imperial Bricks to provide a true match for the Victorian originals.

Reclamation Cambridge Buff bricks mirror the originals, and it’s impossible to tell which is which. In addition, extensive decorative detail had to be replicated, which included the accurate reproduction of many special shaped bricks. The meticulous attention to detail from Arid in partnership with Imperial Bricks’ matching service led to the completed work winning a Certificate of Merit from the Isle of Wight Conservation Society.

Image credits: Arid Design

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