Conserving the Historic Estate (CHE)
Client: Ironbridge Gorge Museums Trust (IGMT)
Role: Lead Architect
Location: Ironbridge Gorge, Shropshire
Status: Ongoing (2023–2026)
Safeguarding Industrial Heritage Through Thoughtful Restoration
The Ironbridge Gorge Museums Trust (IGMT) oversees a remarkable collection of heritage buildings within the Ironbridge Gorge World Heritage Site, recognised globally as the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution. In 2021, Oliver Architecture conducted a comprehensive Quinquennial Review of 52 in-situ heritage assets, enabling IGMT to prioritize essential maintenance and repair needs.
This assessment laid the groundwork for the Conserving the Historic Estate (CHE) project—a three-year initiative funded by a £5.5 million grant from the National Heritage Memorial Fund (NHMF). The program focuses on repairing and conserving 49 buildings, encompassing a diverse range of structures from iconic industrial monuments to historic residential buildings.
Key interventions include the removal of invasive vegetation, external redecoration, roof repairs, and structural stabilization. Notable sites such as the Old Furnace at Coalbrookdale, the Hay Inclined Plane, Bedlam Furnaces, and the Coalport China Works are undergoing meticulous restoration to preserve their historical significance.
|
|
At the Long Warehouse, efforts are underway to re-roof the building, replace the lantern roof with terne-coated stainless steel, and restore the decorative scheme based on 1880s colors. Simultaneously, measures are being implemented to protect and accommodate local wildlife, including swifts, house martins, and bats, ensuring that conservation efforts extend to the natural inhabitants of these structures.
Additional projects involve the Iron Bridge Tollhouse, where roof tiles are being replaced and brickwork repointed, and the Darby Houses, focusing on external repairs to address weathering and leaks. These restorations aim to make the buildings weatherproof and reduce future maintenance costs.
The CHE project not only addresses immediate conservation needs but also builds long-term resilience. A dedicated project team and maintenance staff have been assembled, fostering skill development and ensuring sustainable stewardship of these historic assets. Furthermore, a supplementary £4.5 million endowment from NHMF has been secured to fund ongoing maintenance beyond the project's duration.
Additional projects involve the Iron Bridge Tollhouse, where roof tiles are being replaced and brickwork repointed, and the Darby Houses, focusing on external repairs to address weathering and leaks. These restorations aim to make the buildings weatherproof and reduce future maintenance costs.
The CHE project not only addresses immediate conservation needs but also builds long-term resilience. A dedicated project team and maintenance staff have been assembled, fostering skill development and ensuring sustainable stewardship of these historic assets. Furthermore, a supplementary £4.5 million endowment from NHMF has been secured to fund ongoing maintenance beyond the project's duration.
|
|
Through the CHE initiative, Oliver Architecture and IGMT are collaboratively ensuring that the rich industrial heritage of Ironbridge Gorge is preserved and adapted for future generations.
Key Projects
Key Projects
- Coalbrookdale Museum of Iron: Restoration of the iconic clock tower, including timber replacement, redecoration, and weatherproofing. Roof repairs and masonry repointing are also underway.
- Long Warehouse: Complete re-roofing with terne-coated stainless steel, gutter and flashing renewals, and external redecoration using historically accurate colour schemes.
- Hay Inclined Plane: Vegetation removal, graffiti cleaning, and structural repairs to the Winding House, dock, and bridge. Visitor access improvements are also planned.
- Iron Bridge Tollhouse: Roof tile replacement, brickwork repointing, and window and door redecoration, all conducted while keeping the site open to the public.
- Darby Houses: Roof tile replacement, leadwork repairs, gutter clearance, and external wall redecoration to ensure long-term watertightness.