Kensington Palace Project, Façade Restoration Element
This project won two RICS awards for the façade and entrance works.
The Front of the Palace presented itself as uninviting to the public. Our role was for the façade restoration. The substrate was in very poor condition due to dampness caused by the incorrect materials used in historic repairs.
Moisture trapping paints were stripped from the render followed by the removal of all non-breathable repair materials thus allowing the original Roman cements and lime renders to breathe again.
The Stone plinth was also in very poor condition, after being cement rendered for years. Superheated Liquid Steam methodology was used to remove the paints. Keim paints and repair materials were specified for their historic, natural and long lasting credentials.
The finished appearance had to tone in with the different patinas of the differing period brickwork and had to appear “interesting” when viewed up close. Our own design was chosen.
All render areas repaired, and blended in using our own approved methodology and specification. Ashlar block lines were reinstated. Freezing weather and snow bought the whole project to a standstill. With the design help of a Swedish colleague, we erected a heated / vented scaffold, enabling the whole project to be delivered on time, not just our element of project.
Two base layers of Keim Soldalit were applied, followed by two layers of Keim Lasur colourwash, mixed at different ratios. Each section toned in with the historic brickwork above.
Sections of the completed project
This project involved direct liaison with:
- English Heritage
- Historic Royal Palaces
- Local Conservation Officers
- Michael Simpson of John Simpson Architects (HRH Architect)
Opened by Her Majesty the Queen on 26th March 2012
“they were the only guys I didn’t have to worry about, I know they would achieve”
Jo Thwaites, Project Leader - Historic Royal Palaces
