~ Lerwick Town Hall ~
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The complete Restoration, Conservation and manufacture of bespoke Isothermal Glazing for Lerwick Town Hall.
A unique scheme of A-listed historic stained glass, made by Ballantine of Edinburgh and Cox, Buckley & Co of London at the end of the 19th century.
Previous secondary glazing in the 1990’s, using perspex, was causing unforseen consequences, most notably, extreme flexing of the large panels on the windy elevations. The windspeed rarely got below 20mph, and often reached 80mph or above. The stained glass, the stonework and the mortar were all suffering badly in such extremes and had to be removed and restored.
Town Hall
Scaffolding and rainbows
Inspecting the South Windows prior to Removal
Masonic Window
Partially dismantled
Rose Window
Removing the panels
Rose Window Removal
Rae was here
South tracery
Condition of panels after removal from Portland cement and Butyl Mastic. These compounds held all of the windows in a tight grip - totally irreversible
In the temporary Studio in Lerwick
Describing the process to the Councillors
Masonic Window
Prior to removal - cutting support ties
Studio work
Each panel had to be carefully cleaned, conserved and framed
Border Glass
Painting dozens of new borders after removal
South Elevation
New piece copied and painted
Rab, me and Joost, discussing the bespoke Isothermal system
South Elevation
Finished panel prior to installation
South Elevation
Each panel had to be cleaned, conserved, framed, and surrounded with lead flaps
Rose Window
Rae fabricating a new frame for the central panel of the Rose
Rose Window
During conservation
Installing the new Secondary Glazing
Installing the new Secondary Glazing
South Elevation
Installing the fully restored West Windows
Installing the fully restored West Windows
Reflections
West Elevation after Conservation
After Conservation
Photo credit Denise Smith
After Conservation
Photo credit Denise Smith
After Conservation
The Hall is regularly used by the local community, and is a focal point in the Up Helly-aa celebrations.