Conservation Consultancy: Surveys: overview and examples


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	Surveys



	We frequently carry out condition surveys of collections, followed by detailed, prioritised recommendations for treatment and estimates for the work. We can tailor our survey to suit your collection and your budget, and can assist in mapping out a long-term programme of care.

EXAMPLE:	PROMINENT PUBLIC SCULPTURE IN CENTRAL LONDON
location:	Central London
client:	English Heritage

		Full condition survey of all forty-seven of the public sculptures and monuments in central London which are in the care of English Heritage. The survey included specifications for conservation, where required, and maintenance treatments and frequency. We used our own design of database to hold all this information and to produce the reports in PDF format. Our database could be further developed in the future into bespoke software for managing the care of large collections such as this.

EXAMPLE:	MONUMENTS AT THE PALACE OF WESTMINSTER
location:	Central London
client:	The Palace of Westminster

		Survey of monuments, statuary and fountains in the care of the Palace of Westminster, with recommendations for their conservation and maintenance.



EXAMPLE:	PUBLIC SCULPTURE IN THE CITY OF LONDON
location:	The City of London
client:	The City of London Corporation
		Full condition survey of all the public sculpture, memorials, fountains, drinking fountains and plaques in the City. We provided detailed information and photographs which could be easily input into the Client's database. The collation of such essential data into a manageable form proves invaluable in the management of the conservation and ongoing maintenance of such a large collection.

EXAMPLE:	CITY OPEN SPACES
location:	The City of London
client:	The City of London Corporation
		Survey of seventy-seven City Open Spaces to identify and report on significant objects found (such as plaques, tombstones, statuary, memorials and ironwork), followed by detailed advice including priorities for treatment and ongoing monitoring and care regimes for the objects found. We also wrote a full conservation policy document for ironwork. We advised on which spaces might be improved and alerted the Client to any Health & Safety concerns found.

EXAMPLE:	POLICE CALL POSTS
location:	The City of London
client:	The City of London Corporation
		Condition survey of the eight remaining cast-iron Police Call Posts in the City. We then provided a full conservation plan for the restoration and maintenance of all the posts, including the replacement of all missing parts. These posts were manufactured in the early 1930's by British Ericsson and ceased to be used in the 1960's. The upper hatch opened to give access to the telephone; the middle door opened horizontally to provide a writing surface and the larger, lower storage cupboard contained first aid kit etc. The posts allowed the public to call the Police station and were also used for the station to contact the Policeman on the beat in that area - the red signal light would flash if he was required to contact his station.

EXAMPLE:	PUBLIC SCULPTURE IN THE ROYAL PARKS, LONDON
location:	Central London
client:	The Royal Parks Agency and Carillion Services Ltd

		Full condition survey of the sculptures, war memorials and monuments within Green Park, Greenwich Park, Canning Green, Poets Corner, St James's Park and Victoria Tower Gardens. Our survey included full condition reports and recommendations for conservation and maintenance regimes. We developed a bespoke database to hold all this information and to produce the reports in PDF format. The database also produces maintenance schedules and annual budgets.

EXAMPLE:	HOLY TRINITY CHURCH, SLOANE STREET, LONDON
location:	Chelsea, London
client:	Biscoe Craig Hall

		Survey of the metalwork within the church of Holy Trinity, an Arts & Crafts style church in Chelsea. Most of the metalwork was designed by F.W. Pomeroy or Henry Wilson.



EXAMPLE:	IRONWORK BY SKIDMORE IN LICHFIELD CATHEDRAL
location:	Staffordshire
client:	Robert Kilgour Associates

		Condition survey of the Victorian ironwork by Skidmore at Lichfield Cathedral, including the nave screen, pulpit and stairs, aisle gates, choir stall fronts and mace stands. We then produced proposals and budget costings for the analysis of the paint scheme, and for surface cleaning and repairs.

EXAMPLE:	WAR MEMORIALS IN THE LEEDS AREA
location:	Leeds city centre and surrounding villages
client:	English Heritage

		Condition survey of prominent war memorials in the Leeds area with recommendations for their conservation. We subsequently conserved this memorial in Calverley (pictured left).

EXAMPLE:	PUBLIC SCULPTURE IN BIRMINGHAM
location:	Birmingham City Centre
client:	Cliveden Conservation Workshops, for Birmingham City Council

		In conjunction with Cliveden Conservation Workshops (stone conservators) we carried out a full survey of all the public sculpture in Birmingham City Centre, to assist the client to develop a conservation and maintenance programme for all the public monuments in their care.

EXAMPLE:	THE NATIONAL TRUST'S METALWORK COLLECTION
location:	Anglesey Abbey, Suffolk
client:	The National Trust

		Every year we carry out full surveys for The National Trust, at many of their properties, to monitor the ongoing condition of the metalwork collection and highlight any potential problems. We can provide a thorough, detailed survey of one property's metalwork or give an overview of a group of collections within a region, or carry out a 'snapshot' survey, just reporting on any metalwork objects which require either conservation, maintenance or improved display.

EXAMPLE:	ST ANDREW'S CHURCH METALWORK
location:	Weaverthorpe, Yorkshire
client:	Ferry and Mennim Architects

		Condition survey of all the interior and exterior metalwork of the church, including screens, pulpit, lectern, interior and exterior door furniture and floor grilles, for a National Heritage Lottery Grant application. Paint analysis was carried out to samples taken from the door furniture to try to establish the original paint scheme.

EXAMPLE:	PUBLIC ART AT CANARY WHARF
location:	Canary Wharf, London
client:	Public Art at Canary Wharf

		We carried out a straightforward survey of the majority of the modern public sculpture in and around Canary Wharf, with details of current condition and recommendations for future maintenance.

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