STATE-of-the-art survey techniques have revealed the severity of water damage to Charles Rennie Mackintosh’s iconic property Hill House is even worse than first thought.
The infra-red thermographic (IRT) imaging has revealed damage in great detail, showing further areas of deterioration, according to the National Trust for Scotland (NTS), which owns and cares for the Helensburgh property.
“We also now have additional areas of concern, such as large sections of harling that have become disengaged from the walls where damp is gathering, and internal walls we hadn’t realised were so damp,” said Richard Williams, general manager for Glasgow and West at the NTS.
Since it was completed in 1904, years of wind and rain have caused significant issues with water ingress. In efforts to keep Mackintosh’s masterpiece safe, the NTS is in the process of surrounding the building with a “box” – a mesh structure to protect it from the weather.
The IRT surveys have been carried out in partnership between the NTS and Historic Environment Scotland (HES) and record differences of surface temperature, giving an indication of where moisture from wet weather is retained within the building fabric. A previous IRT survey was carried out in 2003 and these fresh images have been combined with a new 3D digital survey and microwave moisture readings.
“We have a very powerful tool to aid our technical understanding of the complex problems at the Hill House, and a robust baseline before we surround the building with its protective shield,” said Williams. “Due to its design, there are many ledges, wall heads and chimneys that have had a history of many attempts to remedy, yet this problem continues.
“We have also been able to see the direction that the water is travelling in some of the rooms, in particular in the exhibition room, where there was already clear damage.” He added: “The works to create the ‘box’ are now well underway and we are grateful to the many individuals who have donated to help us to tackle these problems.”
The house and gardens are currently closed to the public but are expected to reopen in late spring this year.
Dr Ewan Hyslop, HES head of technical research and science, said: “This project is a great example of how we can use innovative technology to better understand the risks to historic sites such as this, and inform work to conserve and protect them.”
Donations to the appeal to build the “box” shield around the house can be made online at: https://www.nts.org.uk
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here