clonard monastery - case study - armatile architectural · these decorative designs form a...
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Case Study
Church of the
Most Holy Redeemer
“Clonard”
Belfast
Project Architect:
ConsarcConservation Architects
Main Contractor:
KillowenContracts
Tiling Contractor:
Armatile
Introduction
The Church of the Most Holy Redeemer at ClonardMonastery is situated just off the
Falls Road in West Belfast, Northern Ireland. It is a centrefor unity and reconciliation
with a mission to deliver a Ministry of Ecumenism and Peace. The Church is
administered by the RedemptoristFathers, with the current Superior being Fr Michael
Murtagh.
One hundred years after holding its first service in 1911 the decision was taken to
renovate and restore the Sanctuary, Nave and back altars of the church.
While not a parish church, Clonardis held in high esteem as a centre for importance
in the faith lives of the people of Belfast and beyond for its ‘compassionate apostolate
of mediation and reconciliation’.
One hundred years after holding its first
service in 1911 the decision was taken to
renovate and restore the Sanctuary, Nave
and back altars of the church.
The nave and main altar floors were
completely removed. The original floors of
the sanctuary and rear altar areas (including
the baptismal font area) were repaired and
renovated, maintaining their integrity.
Images of Church prior to restoration work
Case Background
Clonardis of such an historical and
ecclesiastical importance we were
asked to utilise all our experience and
knowledge to overcome some of
complex issues associated with;
•Manufacturing a complex floor
designed to the Architects exacting
specifications
•Replacing segments of flooring on
the back Altars and Sanctuary
without comprising the integrity of
the section
•Refurbishing the marble steps of the
Church Sanctuary
The main floor of the church consisted of
over 450 square metres of tiles. There were
over 30 individual, intricately designed
patterns. The panels repeatedly interlocked
to form the aisles and borders of the main
floor.
All of these components were designed, cut
and created in our factory using water-jet
machinery. The individual small pieces
were assembled on mesh mounted sheets
in the factory to reduce laying time on site.
On site, these mosaic sheets were further
complemented with over 300m2 of
300x300mm white porcelain tiles in the
seating areas of the church.
Main Floor
Central Aisle
The central aisle of ClonardMonastery was
designed to incorporate design in floors
and ornate stain glass windows of the
original build.
These decorative designs form a beautiful
walkway that link the rear and main alters.
They include a mix of plain tiles and
specially produced waterjet cut pieces cut
and created using water-jet machinery.
Decorative Curved Borders
The curved border was integral to the
project inter-locking all the decorative
aspects within the church. It was made
up of individual pieces cut from porcelain
tiles and mounted on to mesh for ease on
fitting on site.
The border was designed have
interlocking sheets that repeat while
simultaneously curving to complement
the main altars.
Each sheet was numeredand test laid to
a template in the factory facility prior to
being transported to site to ensure
accuracy for ease of installation. All of
these features were, programmed,
managed and created using our water-jet
technology.
The beautiful marble steps of the semi-
circular Sanctuary had, for many years, been
covered with carpet.
Armatile expertly removed the marble steps
and risers intact. Each piece was identified
with a numbering system and removed from
site for preservation and refurbishment.
The area then had to be re-cased exactly to
a template of the marble steps.
The marble was brought back to life by re-
fabricating and polishing. The pieces were
then replaced and re-polished on site. The
Sanctuary steps provide an amazing focal
point of the church.
Before
During
After
Ensuring Integrity without Compromise
Technologies in itself do not provide the complete service.
The process of identifying alternatives to the original materials used and being
aware of how these will react to the environment, and various treatments they
will be subject to over time, has been gained through considerable experience
in this area of conservation and restoration.
Ensuring Integrity without Compromise
Each of the special pieces on each sheet
had to be programmed, individually
waterjet cut and partially assembled
before being laid out on test floor sections
prior to going to site.
Each section of floor was then coded,
labelled and packed separately to
facilitate ease of sorting and fitting.
This step by step process was essential
to quality control and ease of streaming
from tiles to production then on to site
and fitting.
Importance of Quality Control
We have a understanding and working
knowledge of Conservation and restoration
projects. They require a wholly different
approach to other commercial contracts. As in
‘Clonard’, the maintenance of the buildings
original features are the primary. Our modern
cutting technologies, knowledge and experience
provides two solutions;
•Firstly, the ability to effectively reproduce old
designs that, in many cases, are
indistinguishable from the original.
•Secondly, the ability to manufacture uniquely
designed floor patterns while being aware of
the particular protocols and sensitivities
associated with this type of contract.
Conclusion
All material manufactured in the UK by:
Armatile
Station Road Industrial Estate
Loughgall Road
Armagh
BT61 7NP
028 37527007 (Head office)
0207 1111 613 (London Office)
www.armatilearchitectural.comConclusion