Historic Churches 2022

12 BCD SPECIAL REPORT ON HISTORIC CHURCHES 29TH ANNUAL EDITION This is now a place that can be used by schools, community groups and others for a variety of educational purposes, not least to learn about the history of the Cathedral and its monastic life. All the work was informed by a thorough understanding of the building and its evolution, based on extensive documentary research and targeted archaeological investigation by Chris Guy, the Cathedral archaeologist. There was a particular need to understand the significance of key parts of the existing structure: the walls now dividing the space, the floor surfaces and levels, and the history of any changes to the vaults. Regarding the walls, it was vital to create a link between the three main compartments to allow the space to function effectively and safely, so the walls had to be carefully assessed to avoid damaging any important historic fabric. Regarding the floor levels, it was possible to identify through archaeological investigation a layer of expendable modern fill below the old broken-up mostly concrete surfaces which enabled a consistent floor level to be achieved throughout. This had the added advantage of allowing more of the moulded pier bases to be revealed and more nearly recovering the original proportions of the space. Regarding the vaults, an area of 19th century alteration to the original medieval fabric was identified, and this bay proved to be the least damaging site for a new staircase and lift to provide the main new entrance incorporating disabled access, foyer, toilets and washrooms. The by-passed old entrance from the east into what is now the seminar space has just been repaired and retained, unused and unaltered. The guiding principle in recovering this Romanesque space has been to retain as much historic fabric and finish as possible and to complement this with plain clean-lined modern additions and fittings in subdued colours. The floor throughout is of pale grey Forest of Dean stone. New glass doors providing access between the compartments are set within metal frames, carefully chosen to tone with the masonry. Other doors and modern fittings are in pale oak. Voids in the internal wall surfaces have been filled in with pale brick grilles, lightly limewashed, matching the stonework. Natural light streams in from the high-up windows, strengthened by strip lights and spotlights suspended from the ceiling to provide comfortable working conditions and enhanced by floor lights, especially round the pier bases which delineate these key structural features. The treatment of the masonry surfaces is a masterclass in itself. In every case what has survived has dictated the conservation treatment. There are bare walls that have been discretely repaired with lime pointing in at least five separate matching mixes. There are walls retaining limewash and walls with lime plaster that have been stabilised with lime repairs. There are vaults with patches of limewash and early lime plaster that have been similarly consolidated. In places the medieval shuttering is identifiable. All this has been carried out with a light touch and sensitive judgment by the main contractors Croft Building and Conservation. Nothing other than soot has been removed or covered up. Different textures abound giving each room a different character and allowing as much as possible of its fabric history to be read. The new additions have turned the former jumble of historic fabric into a useable space. Entry through a door in the cloister wall at the west end, formerly the entrance to the refectory, now leads to the new stairwell with platform lift and staircase, descending past the vestiges of a medieval vault uncovered during the work and a stretch of ashlar comprising a spectrum of stones including the Old Red Sandstone of the exterior. The new work is all whites, greys, pale woods and steel. At its base are the toilets and washrooms tucked in under the west end of College Hall, which had to be marginally modified, not least to support the organ. The drainage into College Green was a substantial challenge of levels and the resulting archaeological excavation revealed a complex stratigraphy and the remains of former structures still under interpretation, though they are thought to include Saxon and Roman material. Careful thought had to be given to attaining and retaining optimum environmental conditions in this below- ground space. Each room has its own ventilation system and additionally there is a mortar fillet around the base of the walls to aid evaporation. Areas of masonry joints are being left open for a couple of years to aid the drying out. Windows, although at external ground level, have been given frames which can open to allow air from outside to circulate, a feature which has since (Plans: Acanthus Clews) Plan of the Undercroft – Before Plan of the Undercroft – After