Victoria Park - St Helens almost complete

A great link to the Facebook page - Friends of Victoria Park site, showing the progress made in 2014 on this HLF-funded Parks for People project.
https://www.facebook.com/fovpsth

A really interesting project to have advised on; the main challenge for the architect - to create a new conservatory on the footprint of the original Messenger conservatory, at the same time satisfying both Building Regs. (as a new building that will perform in an energy efficient way) and meets the needs of the users (Age UK) at the Mansion House.  A difficult challenge for the Design Team to meet these needs and at the same time produce a traditional design. 
Both the walled garden and the gate-lodge are looking dramatic, crisp and elegant (July 2014), as befitting the Italianate Revival architecture.  The natural fit and simplicity of the details disguises all the hard work, research and high specification that has gone into the scheme - a measure of good conservation.

Gate Lodge - the cracked bay window
before recording & dismantling

Gate Lodge - the same bay window with
stucco removed & sample panel of render

Chimney stack prior to recording and removal of stucco 

Stucco being applied to chimney by Ornate Interiors;
each individual dentil moulding is applied
separately by hand

Walled garden (above and below) - the back wall of the
conservatory prior to restoration. There was little
surviving historic detail. The restoration has involved
using historic photographic evidence and experience
to establish the precise details of the missing rusticated
stucco pilasters, copings and stone ball finials.