Heritage Project Contracts

Mount Street Bronze Gates, Manchester

As part of the redevelopment works to the centre of Manchester, the City Council has created a new link building connecting the Central Library with the Town Hall Extension. This organically shaped glass structure, together with a new pair of bronze gates, close off the area between the two Gate II* Listed buildings. The design of the gates picks up the outline profile of the Link Building.
Once fabricated the gate leaves were patinated to give the desired finish colour before being protected with a coat of wax.	Heritage Project Contracts was appointed by Laing O'Rourke to finalise the design details, with Ian Simpson Architects, and fabricate 2 new pairs of bronze gates for Mount Street. The gates were formed from bronze flats, TiG welded together to form the gate leaves.
	Works completed - February 2015 Main contractor - Laing O'Rourke

Scagliola Columns

Manchester Central Library was built from 1930 - 1934 to a design by E Vincent Harris. It is constructed in the form of a columned portico attached to a large rotunda with a domed roof, mimicking the architectural style of the Pantheon in Rome. It was closed in 2010 to allow for its complete renovation. At its heart is a large, circular reading room with a full height ceiling. The architect designed an ornate, gilded wrought iron structure that sits over the central counter. This sits on four malachite coloured scagliola columns and is topped by a four-sided clock. The building is listed Grade II*.

Heritage Project Contracts was appointed to carry out a number of conservation projects within the Library building including works to the scagliola columns. These had surface damage and required localised repair. The surface of each was carefully flatted back before a pigmented gypsum filler was used to fill any chips and scratches. The columns were then finished by application of a number of coats of linseed oil. Scagliola is a composite substance made of gypsum, glue and natural pigments mixed together to imitate marble and other decorative stones. The technique became fashionable in 17th Century Tuscany as a cheap substitute for expensive stonework.

Works completed - January 2015
Main contractor - Laing O'Rourke

'The Reading Girl', Giovanni Ciniselli

The sculpture was created by the Italian, Giovanni Ciniselli (1832 – 1883), and was bought from Italy by Daniel Adamson, the first chairman of the Manchester Ship Canal Company. It was given to the Library by his family in 1938 when the building was opened.	Within the Manchester Central Library is a white marble sculpture; 'The Reading Girl'. As part of the Manchester Transformation Project undertaken by Laing O'Rourke, the statue was conserved by Heritage Project Contacts.
The statue was transferred to HPC's workshops for assessment and a much needed clean. A build-up of dust, dirt, nicotine and oily residues from handling had darkened the surface of the marble, being most evident in the folds of her hair and cloak. After delicate cleaning by hand, the original appearance of the marble was revealed. The marble revolving plinth was also cleaned and repaired prior to re-installation in the completed Shakespeare Hall.
	Works completed - December 2013 Main contractor - Laing O'Rourke