Hirst Conservation undertakes all aspects of both internal plasterwork and external render and stuccowork. As well as providing conservation and restoration expertise on existing plasterwork, our plaster specialists can undertake new plastering projects using traditional materials and techniques. Work ranges from the stabilization of highly intricate moulded or cast decorative ceilings to extensive rendering projects. We also undertake detailed condition surveys of ceilings, assessing the condition from both the underside and upper side. Where access is poor, fibre optic investigation is utilised. Where a ceiling is found to be unstable we undertake different methods of ceiling suspension, aiming to allow future inspection of the historic plaster surfaces. Our methods aim for lightweight systems and suspension from the upper-side only, where possible.
The services offered include:
Initial survey work to determine the extent of conservation and the type of repairs required;
Analysis of existing material to ensure compatibility of repair mortars and plasters;
Lime plastering onto masonry, reed and lath;
Running/ replication of plaster mouldings in situ;
Fibrous plasterwork and mould making and casting of decorative elements;
Ceiling suspension and securing, using both traditional methods and more modern materials;
Consultation on major conservation and restoration projects.
Some of our projects include:
Cusworth Hall, Doncaster: Interior lime plastering; exterior rendering to courtyard and brew-house; recreation of fibrous plasterwork in Paine’s Chapel; ceiling suspension and securing;
Sessions House, Northampton: Condition surveys and analysis of 17th century plaster ceilings, ceiling suspension from above and repair and redecoration works;
Chepstow Castle, Chepstow: Conservation of 11th century decorative plasterwork;
St Pancras Chambers, London: Survey of historic plasterwork in 600 rooms and consultants for plaster restoration;
Pembroke College, Cambridge: Grade I listed building with Henry Doogood Baroque ceiling. Condition survey and emergency stabilisation followed by ceiling suspension and securing;
Bramall Hall, Stockport: Grade I listed Elizabethan decorative pendant ceiling requiring stabilisation, plaster repair and re-decoration;
Windsor Castle, Queen’s Audience Chamber: Stabilisation of the plaster ceiling from above, condition survey, architectural paint research and conservation of the painted ceiling;
Royal Society of Arts (RSA), London: Ceiling suspension, plaster repairs, paint research and recreation of Adam decorative scheme to the Shipley Room;
Westin Vendome, Paris: Research and consultancy; condition survey; emergency stabilisation, repair and re-creation of decorative plasterwork; canvas painting conservation;
Pegasus House, Bristol: Removal, repair, reconstruction, re-installation and redecoration of ten severely damaged 1930s gypsum plaster window reveals by Dennis Dunlop.