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Case study

Saving a 15th-century nave roof from structural collapse at the Abbey Church of St Mary and St Melor, Amesbury, Wiltshire

Emma Mullen
Journal of Building Survey, Appraisal & Valuation, 12 (1), 6-24 (2023)
https://doi.org/10.69554/OXYF4119

Abstract

This paper looks at the technical and practical challenges faced during the conservation repair of a large 15th-century trussed roof structure of a Grade I listed church building. Urgent repairs were required after a section of ceiling plaster fell, after years of water ingress, resulting in tight programme and budget constraints, with the added pressure of a global pandemic. The paper describes the early stages of the contract, with surprising discoveries such as a hive of over 40,000 honeybees, bat roosts, a secondary roof structure, concrete and extensive deathwatch beetle decay. The engineer’s economic solutions to complex structural problems are explained, as well as architect designed details to address ongoing causes of decay, such as new ventilated eaves and ridge details. This paper sets out to describe how technical challenges were overcome, but also explains how opportunities were taken to introduce new oak carvings and lead details, to leave a legacy and add to the historic narrative of the building. This paper will be of particular interest to anyone working on ecclesiastical or listed building structures, where there has been a history of poor maintenance or previous repairs. It should offer technical information relating to a wide range of traditional building trades, but particularly structural repairs of historic timber structures.

Keywords: roof; structural repairs; carvings; lead; timber decay; conservation

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Author's Biography

Emma Mullen RIBA SCA BSc Hons MArch AABC is Associate Architect at St Ann’s Gate Architects in Salisbury, Wiltshire. Emma is an RIBA Specialist Conservation and AABC accredited architect, with a passion for building conservation. She is Cathedral Architect for Newport Cathedral in Wales and responsible for the care of over 30 churches within the Salisbury and Winchester Diocese. In 2022, Emma was awarded ‘Young Church Architect of the Year’ in recognition of her work to conserve the nave roof at St Mary and St Melor Church in Amesbury, which was awarded the King of Prussia Gold Medal by the Ecclesiastical Architects and Surveyors Association (EASA) and the National Churches Trust (NCT). Emma studied architecture at the Welsh School of Architecture in Cardiff before completing her qualifications and starting her early career in London, where she worked for Molyneux Kerr Architects. During her time at St Ann’s Gate Architects, Emma has built up a portfolio of her own clients and worked on projects for major English cathedrals such as Gloucester and Westminster Roman Catholic cathedrals. Her passion lies with making historic spaces fit for future generations and negotiating complex approvals with statutory consultees. Emma is a member of the Cathedral Architects Association, Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings and EASA.

Citation

Mullen, Emma (2023, June 1). Saving a 15th-century nave roof from structural collapse at the Abbey Church of St Mary and St Melor, Amesbury, Wiltshire. In the Journal of Building Survey, Appraisal & Valuation, Volume 12, Issue 1. https://doi.org/10.69554/OXYF4119.

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cover image, Journal of Building Survey, Appraisal & Valuation
Journal of Building Survey, Appraisal & Valuation
Volume 12 / Issue 1
© Henry Stewart
Publications LLP

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