Conservation works and new welcome centre for Canterbury Cathedral, part of the Canterbury World Heritage Site attracting more than a million visitors every year.
Ridge has been appointed to provide Principal Designer services for a 3-year programme of works.
Initially, an environmental clean to the nave roof space removed historical Asbestos contamination. This prepared the way for installing new fire barriers and constructing an internal crash deck at roof levels, as well as erecting scaffolding to a large part of external area including the Cathedral tower. An external site compound has been created to accommodate the various trades and Cathedral in-house stonemasons.
Major elements of future works will include:
- Repair and replacement to stonework
- The stained-glass windows will be removed for specialist refurbishment, and temporarily replaced with protective glazed screens
- Where required, structural timbers within the Cathedral fabric will be replaced
- The lead roof between the Tower and the west elevation will be replaced
- A new visitor welcome centre and exhibition space will be created within the Cathedral precinct. This will include a shop, café and art gallery.
Once complete, landscaping works will be carried out to the surrounding areas.
