Case Study
Client: Tate Gallery
Architect: John Miller & Partners
Engineer: Campbell Reith Hill
Construction Manager: MACE
Specialist Contractor: Stonewest
Services Provided: Cleaning, Restoration & Repair, Internal Finishes
Project Overview
Stonewest were awarded two trade contracts, one for the re-modelling of Galleries 9-16 and subsequently for the cleaning of all external masonry to the principal facades including the main entrance portico. The internal works formed a major part of the re-modelling of the galleries. Essentially 3 different green marbles had been used in the original construction but the plans to remodel the galleries necessitated the careful removal of all the marble wall cladding, door surrounds and radiator casings and storage off site whilst the building works were carried out. During this time the cleaning or re-polishing and repair of all retained material was carried out.
Key Successes
- Accurate drilling and pinning of large but perilously thin marble slabs, which had been broken insitu many years before.
- We identified marbles and source replacements to accommodate alterations such as wider doorways for public/disabled access.
- It was also possible to ‘cannibalise’ marble extracted from some areas of the galleries and by re-working sizes and details, incorporate into new design to make up for the shortfall for panels too badly damaged to repair and to make surrounds for small new doorways.
- In all some 2100 pieces of marble were removed, palletised, worked on and reinstated, this equates to some 350 pallets and over 75 tonnes.