Conservation Consultancy: Surveys: overview and examples

CONSULTANCY

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 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:

PUBLIC SCULPTURE IN THE CITY OF LONDON

location:

The City of London

client:

The Corporation of London

Full condition survey of all the public sculpture, memorials, fountains, drinking fountains and plaques in the City and provided detailed information and photographs which could be easily input into a 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.

We have also surveyed the 1930's Police Telephone Posts which still remain in the City, and we are in the process of surveying objects within all the City's parks and open spaces.

EXAMPLE:

SURVEY OF IRONWORK BY SKIDMORE IN LICHFIELD CATHEDRAL

location:

Staffordshire

client:

Robert Gilgour 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, surface cleaning and repairs.

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.

EXAMPLE:

ST ANDREW'S CHURCH, SURVEY OF 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.