Walls and Other Structural Elements - dlrcoco.ie

1 Walls and OtherStructural ElementsCHAPTER 8 Architectural Heritage Protection Guidelines for Planning Structural system of a historic building and itselements play a major role in defining its Elements may include external andinternal load-bearing brick or masonry Walls , mudwalls or timber-framed Walls ; columns of stone, castiron or concrete; stone, brick or concrete vaults;timber, iron or steel beams, trusses, girders andmany others. Structural Elements may be importantas early examples of the use of certain materialssuch as cast iron or concrete. Even where interestingstructural Elements are not exposed, they arenonetheless of significance and contribute to thecharacter of the The structure of the building may be clad externallyand the type and appearance of the claddingmaterials used may also contribute to the characterof the building.

2 Common cladding materials includemetal sheeting such as corrugated iron, slate-hanging, tile-hanging, timber boarding andterracotta or fa ence finishes applied to the structure of a buildingmay also be of importance. Rubble stone Walls wereoften finished with a render coating. This may havebeen applied as a roughcast coat or with a smooth,trowelled finish sometimes ruled and lined toresemble ashlar blocks. Smooth or roughcast rendersmay have been limewashed, painted or stones or Other materials may have beenpressed into the wet coating after application toprovide a pebble-dashed assessing the contribution of structuralelements, including Walls and associated features, tothe character of a protected structure or of an ACA,the planning authority should ask:a) What is the original Structural system of the protected structure?

3 B) Has this been altered in the past? If so, are the alterations of interest or have they damaged the appearance or the Structural integrity of the building?c) Are there early or original Structural Elements of particular interest?d) Are there likely to be any concealed Elements ofinterest?e) Is the present Structural material, cladding or finish original?f ) If not, is it of interest or does it conceal an original surface or earlier finish beneath?g) If there is an original surface or earlier finish beneath, should it be investigated or were there reasons why it was covered over, such as poor quality materials or unsightly alterations?

4 H) If there is a later finish, is it causing damage to the earlier surface? If it is causing damage, wouldthe process of removing this finish lead to further damage? For example, the removal of a strong cement-based render could take away parts of the earlier surface ) Is the structure part of a group or terrace of similar buildings? If so, would any alterations to one of the terrace affect the quality or character of the entire group, such as uncoordinated fa ade cleaning, painting or repointing?j) Is there any original architectural detailing such as string courses, pilasters, cornices or quoins?

5 Are there any later embellishments or alterationsof interest? How will these be protected and conserved during the works?k) Are there any Elements such as balconies,verandas or balconettes attached to the Walls ? Do these contribute to the special interest of thebuilding?l) Are there any Other features or fixtures of interest attached to the Walls such as plaques orfire marks?CHAPTER 8 Walls AND Other Structural ELEMENTSS tructural Elements , suchas masonry Walls , mayplay a major role indefining the character ofthe structure. Here thegranite and brickworkwall retains its originalpointing.

6 This wall wasnever rendered, but wherefinishes were originallyused they almost alwayscontribute to the specialinterest of the structureCHAPTER 8 Walls AND Other Structural ELEMENTSA rchitectural Heritage Protection Guidelines for Planning Alterations to Walls and Other identifying the important qualities of the wallsand Other Structural Elements of protectedstructures, all original architectural detailing shouldbe respected, as should later additions,embellishments or remodelling of definite may be cases where alterations are of littleinterest in themselves or which positively detractfrom the architectural quality of the whole byreason of their poor design or their poorrelationship to the rest of the building.

7 Pastalterations may also have damaged the structuralintegrity of the building or structure. In such cases,the planning authority may consider it desirable toencourage the reversal of unsatisfactory alterationsthat disfigure or conceal earlier work of greatermerit or have caused physical problems ordeterioration. This should only be done after carefulconsideration of all the consequences. Any workscarried out on this basis should always be basedupon firm evidence and an assessment of theoriginal state and detailing of the Stability analysis of the Structural stability of a historicbuilding generally requires the skill and experienceof a specialist Structural engineer rather than onewho is a general practitioner.

8 Where an applicationis made to demolish or dismantle a protectedstructure (whether in whole or in part) based onreasons of Structural instability, the onus is on theapplicant to prove that the proposals are valid andall relevant matters have been properly some cases, the planning authority may need tocommission its own independent advice onstructural alterations are proposed to Walls or otherstructural Elements of a protected structure, theplanning authority should be satisfied that theproposals are based on a proper knowledge andunderstanding of the existing structure. Many oldbuildings suffer from minor Structural defects butwill continue to perform satisfactorily providing theyare not subject to major disturbance.

9 Alterationssuch as the creation of new openings, changes to the interior spaces or the installation of new services and equipment could overload an existingstructural system and, where this is a possibility, theproposals should be reconsidered. In thesecircumstances, specialist advice may be Repair works to a protected structure shouldgenerally be permitted only where they are low keyand involve reinstatement or strengthening of theexisting structure. It is preferable to repair ratherthan rebuild Structural Elements . But where it isconsidered acceptable to permit part of a structureto be taken down and rebuilt, the planningauthority should make it a condition of thepermission that the existing work be thoroughlyrecorded prior to any works taking place and thatrebuilding incorporate as much of the originalmaterial as which have the potential to causesettlement in a historic building should be givencareful consideration.

10 Excavation or re-grading ofground levels adjacent to or within a protectedstructure could cause its foundations to settle or Structural integrity of old foundations may alsobe undermined by previous inappropriatealterations or extensions, by the planting of certaintypes of tree close to the building or by thesaturation of adjacent ground by poor of the foundations of a structure in thepast may have resulted in loads being transferredonto previously non-load-bearing proposals to remove all or part of anywalls of old buildings should be treated with greatcaution as these may adversely affect the structuralintegrity of the building.