Hoardfence protects a 300-year-old architectural landmark during delicate glass restoration works

Protecting a heritage building during specialist conservation works

Dating from 1715, St Philip’s Cathedral is the oldest building in Birmingham still used for its original purpose. A Grade I listed building, it sits at the heart of the city on Colmore Row, surrounded by its own grounds and passed by thousands of pedestrians every day. Its most celebrated treasures are four stained-glass windows designed by Birmingham-born Pre-Raphaelite artist Sir Edward Burne-Jones.

When specialist glass conservation contractors, Holy Well Glass Ltd, were engaged to restore the cathedral’s glasswork, they needed a hoarding solution that would protect the public in one of the city’s busiest thoroughfares without becoming an eyesore.

External hoarding that is attractive and functional

Westgate Global recommended Hoardfence: a modular, free-standing external hoarding system built for fast, flexible installation. As well as providing a robust perimeter protection, Hoardfence could be installed without the need for digging or permanent fixings – a critical requirement for a Grade I listed building. Instead, on-ground modular support framing and concrete ballast block weight is used to lock posts into perfect plumb, accommodating uneven or sloping ground. Westgate Global’s in-house structural engineer carried out site-specific wind load calculations to ensure the installation met all compliance requirements throughout the 32-week hire period.

85 linear metres of 2.25m high Hoardfence was installed at both ends of the building, incorporating two pedestrian doors and a vehicle gate. Hoardfence is designed to carry graphics and messaging, using vinyl that can be easily applied and removed without damaging the panel surface. This feature enabled Holy Well Glass to apply bright, eye-catching artwork that was more appropriate to the surroundings than a bare hoarding panel.

The installation successfully protected both the public and the building throughout the conservation works. The combination of robust perimeter security and the ability to add attractive artwork to the panels allowed Holy Well Glass to focus on the delicate work required to restore the building’s famous glasswork.

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