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During the month, development sites that H+R are involved with have progressively re-opened. Fortunately, most H+R survey work is not affected by the need to preserve social distance. Despite the troubling times, the humour of the average builder was evident with one contractor’s poster urging operatives to ‘do as Brucie says’ with the strapline ‘nice – two metres, two metres – nice’! By the end of May, new enquiry levels were almost back to normal which, combined with existing public…

At the time of writing and reflecting on the situation depicted in March, the lockdown has proven to be a necessary imposition. Early in the pandemic crisis, H+R management took the decision that no member of staff would be furloughed as there was so much that could be achieved with enterprise and effort on an individual and corporate basis and that we were all reliant on each other’s support. Like so many companies, many staff already worked with a high…

Coronavirus has been a big challenge in the month for every individual and every business to come to terms with both prior to and after the 23 March lockdown start. Like many professionals in the construction industry, the wearing of fitted masks, gloves, overalls and PPE as well as regular hand washing has not been such a strange concept for H+R surveyors. It is often their daily lot. This has allowed the company to quickly develop COVID-19 risk assessments and…

In December, H+R carried out a damp and timber condition survey for the National Trust at Beningbrough Hall, a Grade I-listed mansion near York which currently serves as a museum for contemporary and historic art. The client had concerns that there was an active deathwatch beetle (Xestobium rufovillosum) infestation in the oak roof structures, but investigations by H+R found that the issue was largely historical and of relatively minor significance. The client was also in the process of improving fire…

The past twelve months has been busy for the H+R eastern office. Commissions from English Heritage have included consultancy and contract administration services for urgent works at various scheduled sites in Norfolk based on their Flint & Rubble Masonry Safety Survey (FARMSS) and also preparation of specifications for repairs to at-risk structures and preliminary work for the repair and operation of Sibsey Trader Windmill in Lincolnshire. Much of the high-level work at the FARMSS sites has been carried out in…

During the month extensive survey work has been undertaken throughout the United Kingdom and Eire In Wales, the initial scoping surveys have been started at Cardiff Royal Infirmary where the Health Board is to re-purpose the existing large complex of buildings as an ambitious Wellbeing Centre to serve the city. The current interiors are like stepping back in time with the walls crowded with plaques recording early twentieth century benefactors and donations. H+R will be heavily engaged for months to…

With the General Election now a distant memory, confidence has been bolstered in all of the market sectors that H+R operate in.  A significant rise in enquiry levels is being experienced Further environmental monitoring work has been commissioned at the award winning Coal Drops Yard (www.heatherwick.com/project/coal-drops-yard) Particularly interesting projects have included the ‘Ragged School’ in Clerkenwell.  The ‘Ragged School’ movement was instituted in the 1840s as an enlightened attempt to reach out to those children who were at the very…

In sympathy with the particular time of year, H+R’s workload in the month featured more than the usual amount of ecclesiastical buildings.  Notable amongst them was the Church of St Michael le Belfrey in York https://www.belfrey.org/ where H+R were tasked with understanding the constructional nature of the timber roof and also its condition to inform the forthcoming refurbishment.  The H+R team worked successfully at a significant height of 40 feet from within the body of the church having set up…

As part of a major redevelopment of York Castle, H+R were instructed to undertake a detailed condition survey of the timber roof and floor structures of the now-ruined keep, commonly referred to as Clifford’s Tower. An earlier motte and bailey castle built on the site in 1068 was destroyed by a Viking army in 1069 and the existing tower was built on the orders of William the Conqueror to dominate the former Viking city of Jórvík. There has been public…

Possibly the most dilapidated barn H+R have been called upon to investigate featured in the month. The survey tasks were akin to working within a subterranean chamber as the structure had gently subsided down to its top rails.  H+R surveyors had to take a range of steps to ensure safe working in such a confined space Further extending the esoteric range of our investigations, H+R were appointed by the Institute of Contemporary Arts at Grade 1 Carlton House Terrace https://www.ica.art/…

The Autumn month was no less active than last year with a fascinating spread of projects around the UK Pip, one of the H+R Rothounds, distinguished herself on the Centenary Square project in Birmingham. The magnificent 1930s municipal bank building is being converted for the University of Birmingham as a central location for community engagement such as an events space, café, meeting rooms and interactive working space.  The Art Deco safety deposit box vault is a ‘tour de force’ In…

Several H+R projects have featured in the property press during the month at the culmination of their refurbishments.  Of particular note are Richmond Chase, the conversion of Latchmere House in Richmond Park (www.berkeleygroup.co.uk/developments/london/richmond/richmond-chase), the Mansions, the conversion of the Atkinson Morley Hospital in Wimbledon (www.berkeleygroup.co.uk/developments/london/wimbledon/wimbledon-hill-park) and Hampstead Manor, the conversion of the Skeel Library in Hampstead once part of Westfield College for women. During the month, H+R noted the publicity celebrating the Survey of London.  The Survey of London was…