Project overview

Stonework

Project Overview
Bradfield College’s St Andrew’s Project secures the future of the 14th-century Grade II* listed church. Now under the ownership of Bradfield College, the church is being converted into a unique learning centre with a blend of spaces, including a library, tiered seating space and mezzanine floors, whilst retaining the architectural features of the original building. Cliveden Conservation was subcontracted by Feltham Construction to carry out stonework and brickwork cleaning and repairs to both the interior and exterior of the church.

Summary of work carried out
The project presented various challenges due to the busy school environment
and the need to coordinate with the other contractors involved. It required careful planning, good communication and strong project management skills to accommodate changes to work schedules, access arrangements and the differing approaches to the work from other trades.

Conservation work included stone cleaning to all the internal stonework, repointing and repairs to masonry window surrounds, restoration of tiled floors and internal plaster repairs. Externally, work to the church tower and other elevations involved new stone indents, brick and flint repairs, repointing and brick replacement. This included finding exact matches to seven different brick sizes. With the help of HG Matthews, a Buckinghamshire brickwork company, all the different-sized bricks were successfully sourced, then hand-made and wood-fired.

Cliveden Conservation was pleased to be joined by two students from the Prince’s (now King’s) Foundation Building Craft Programme, who worked alongside the stonemasons and bricklayers whilst they repaired the church tower.

Cliveden Conservation also designed and hand-carved new gargoyles and roof finial crosses for the restored church tower.

Results
The Cliveden Conservation team achieved an exceptional standard of stone and brickwork restoration on this project, leaving a significant mark of best practice on St Andrew’s Church.

A good working relationship was established with Feltham Construction the main contractor for the project, which resulted in the smooth running of the schedule of works. Cliveden Conservation is grateful for the support received from the client, Bradfield College, and the architect throughout the project.