Architectural Heritage Protection: Guidelines for Planning Authorities

1. Page 181

   Cite this pagePDF p. 181 (opens the publisher’s copy in a new tab)
   Architectural Heritage Protection Guidelines for Planning Authorities 179 CHAPTER 11 INTERIORS Decorative finishes IDENTIFYING SPECIAL FEATURES FOR PROTECTION 11.3.6 Important early schemes of interior decoration should be identified and preserved wherever feasible. Decorative finishes of interest may include paint, wallpaper, anaglyptic papers, wall or ceilingpaintings, stencilling, decorative paint finishes, gilding, tiling and other forms of decoration. Where such decoration exists, and is clearly part of the character of the protected interior or is of historical interest, it should be retained and conserved. CONSIDERATION OF PROPOSALS AFFECTING DECORATIVE FINISHES 11.3.7 No issue arises with the routine redecoration of rooms which have lost, or perhaps never had, important decorative schemes. However, where decorative schemes or details survive which are part of the character and special interest of the building these should generally not be over-painted or destroyed. Surviving decorative finishes need careful assessment and can be simply left as found, cleaned, restored or reproduced as appropriate. 11.3.8 Where there is reason to believe that earlier decoration of some quality survives below later layers, specialist advice should be taken as to whether to reveal it or how to conserve it. It could be a condition of a planning permission that any fragments of original or early decoration of merit, such as pieces of wallpaper, which come to light during renovation works, should be recorded and preserved where possible. Where there is extensive survival of a concealed decorative scheme of interest, specialist advice could be taken as to whether to reveal it or how to conserve it. 11.3.9 Where the stripping of paint is proposed, it should be remembered that this action would eradicate the evidence of the original or early decorative schemes where traces of these have survived. This will make it impossible thereafter to determine the original or previous colouring or paint types. Where there is likely to be early, interesting paintwork below the present surface, consideration should be given to leaving a small area of the wall, ceiling or joinery unstripped or undertaking a proper detailed paint analysis before any stripping takes place. The method of paint-stripping should be appropriate to the underlying material. In particular, account should be taken of the material’s ability to withstand the stripping process. For example, old joinery should never be stripped by immersion as this will deform the timber and weaken the joints. Gesso ornament is not always identifiable when painted and is easily damaged by stripping off the overlying paint. Burning-off defective paint is not recommended where the joinery is in situ because of the potential danger of fire to the entire building fabric. 11.3.10 Where advice is sought from the planning authority, the opportunity could be taken to encourage a decorative scheme that is appropriate to the age and design of the building or room, as this will enhance the historic building. Fragments of handmade wallpaper are occasionally uncovered beneath later finishes; where this occurs it may be appropriate either to record and retain them in position or to allow for their careful removal and conservation. It may be possible – if sufficient evidence survives – to reproduce historic wallpaper, should the restoration of the original decorative scheme be of great importance to the interior. Consideration should be given to the fact that the change of use of a room could affect the conservation of a delicate wall finish such as wallpaper, whether from direct damage or from changed levels of relative humidity Where existing paintwork is to be removed, and it is likely that evidence of an important decorative scheme survives, samples can be taken in advance to analyse the historic colours used as, once the paint is stripped, such evidence will be lost forever. The taking and analysing of paint samples is a specialised task. In the case illustrated, stripping has revealed an original joint in the dado rail (right hand of picture) showing the use of slightly differing sections, long hidden under layers of paintwork

2. Page 182

   Cite this pagePDF p. 182 (opens the publisher’s copy in a new tab)
   CHAPTER 11 INTERIORS Architectural Heritage Protection Guidelines for Planning Authorities 180 11.4 Fixtures and Fittings Interior fixtures and features 11.4.1 Protection includes all fixtures and features which form part of the interior of a protected structure. In some cases it may be difficult to establish whether or not a particular object or feature is a fixture. Although not defined in the Act, the term ‘fixture’ implies a degree of physical annexation together with indications that the annexation was carried out with the intention of making the object an integral part of the structure. In an interior, elements such as fireplaces, panelling or doorcases are fixtures which form part of the building. However, free-standing objects may be considered fixtures if they were placed in position as part of an overall architectural design. For example, in an interior such as a courtroom, fittings such as seating, screens, canopies, and the like, while they may or may not be physically fixed, were designed or made to fit a specific space to form part of the design. 11.4.2 Works of art, such as paintings or pieces of sculpture, placed as objects in their own right within a building, are unlikely to be considered as fixtures unless it can be proved that they were placed in particular locations as part of an overall architectural design. In such cases, the planning authority may need to take expert advice on assessing the contribution of the object to the character of the protected interior. Decorative items or works of art installed in an interior may be considered fixtures if they were intended to be an integral part of the design. In this case, the statue of Daniel O’Connell is a later addition, but is part of a group of statues positioned at key points around the rotunda adding to the special interest of the interior

3. Page 183

   Cite this pagePDF p. 183 (opens the publisher’s copy in a new tab)
   Architectural Heritage Protection Guidelines for Planning Authorities 181 CHAPTER 11 INTERIORS Staircases IDENTIFYING SPECIAL FEATURES FOR PROTECTION 11.4.3 Staircases are often a major element of design within an interior. Iron or timber balustrades, handrails, decorative tread ends, moulded nosings and other stair details should be identified, respected and retained. Where the original service or back stairs in dwellings survive, these should also be retained. CONSIDERATION OF PROPOSALS AFFECTING STAIRCASES 11.4.4 The removal or alteration of an original or fine staircase should only be permitted in exceptional circumstances. Generally, stone stairs should be retained in their original state and should not be painted, nor have sealant applied to them. 11.4.5 Where it is necessary for safety reasons to provide higher handrails or balustrades, it may be preferable to permit the addition of a new upper rail mounted above the handrail rather than allow the removal or remodelling of an important balustrade. Where this is not considered acceptable, for example on a landing, it may be necessary to consider measures to prevent people from approaching the low balustrade with an inner railing or similar barrier. The setting out of a staircase together with the fabrication of the carved and turned staircase elements was – and still is – highly skilled work. Elaborate staircases display the artistic taste of the owner and the abilities of the architect, joiner, carver, turner, metalworker or mason Stone staircases can suffer damage from the effects of expanding and corroding cramps and chipping of nosings. The repair of damage by indenting new stone is a traditional practice and still successfully used. However, expertise is necessary to assess the structural engineering issues relating to damaged or failing cantilevered stairs or to undo the effects of previous ill-considered repairs Where it is necessary to raise the height of handrails for safety reasons, the new work should not be visually obtrusive or require invasive work to the original balustrade

4. Page 184

   Cite this pagePDF p. 184 (opens the publisher’s copy in a new tab)
   CHAPTER 11 INTERIORS Architectural Heritage Protection Guidelines for Planning Authorities 182 Fireplaces IDENTIFYING SPECIAL FEATURES FOR PROTECTION 11.4.6 Fireplaces or chimneypieces often formed the central element of design within a room. In addition to the timber, marble, stone, or cast-iron fire surrounds, care should be taken to identify and protect brass insets and grates, tiled cheeks, iron firebaskets and hearthstones. 11.4.7 It has been the case that fine marble or stone fire surrounds are particularly vulnerable to unauthorised removal. This increases the importance of identifying and recording those which contribute to the character and special interest of a protected structure. CONSIDERATION OF PROPOSALS AFFECTING FIREPLACES 11.4.8 The removal of fireplaces that are important to the character and special interest of the interior of a protected structure should not be permitted, even when the chimney has become redundant. 11.4.9 The design of a fireplace, particularly in Georgian and Victorian buildings, was often related to the function of the room in which it was located. For example, designs of dining room fireplaces often incorporated fruit and vine motifs and for that reason the moving of fireplaces from room to room within a protected structure should not generally be permitted. The painting of marble or stone fire surrounds should also not generally be permitted. Fixed furniture and fittings IDENTIFYING SPECIAL FEATURES FOR PROTECTION 11.4.10 Some building types such as banks, public houses and industrial buildings and dwellings may contain fixed furniture or fittings of quality which may form an important part of the architectural character of the interior of a protected structure. Such items may include counters, seating, screens, shelving, cupboards, light-fittings and machinery. 11.4.11 Items may be of interest for reasons other than their architectural quality. Rare items of machinery or service installations such as early lifts, industrial machinery, plumbing mechanisms, central heating systems etc. will be of considerable historical interest and of special relevance to the particular building. Specialist expertise may be necessary in order to identify the importance of some features. The chimneypiece usually formed the focal point of a room and could range from simple timber or cast iron fireplaces to elaborate marble items. Although this chimneypiece appears plain, its partially-cleaned state should not disguise the fact that it retains its original elements, including carved slate facing and raised grate Historic shop, pub and bank interiors are rare, as the periodic refitting of such premises is routine. Features such as shop counters, shelves and other fittings made specifically for the interior can be of architectural and social interest Archaic machinery, mechanical fittings, heating and plumbing systems, of which the plated iron cistern illustrated here is a part, can be of considerable technical importance to a structure. Before items of interest are proposed for removal, it should be ascertained if they are of sufficient interest to be retained and, in some instances, even brought back into use. Often it may be possible for the items to be left in situ rather than allow them to be routinely stripped out Where a fireplace has become redundant, the chimneybreast should be left intact to allow it to continue to contribute to the character of the room. The intensification of uses within a structure and changes to other forms of heating, can lead to pressure to block up or remove chimneypieces. The adverse effects of such works on the building would not only include the loss of important architectural features but would also reduce the natural ventilation of the interior. Where possible, the re-opening of previously-blocked fireplaces should be encouraged together with the re-introduction of appropriate chimneypieces

5. Page 185

   Cite this pagePDF p. 185 (opens the publisher’s copy in a new tab)
   Architectural Heritage Protection Guidelines for Planning Authorities 183 CHAPTER 11 INTERIORS CONSIDERATION OF PROPOSALS 11.4.12 Where items of fixed furniture or fittings have been identified as important to the character or special interest of a protected structure, they should be retained in situ, even where they have become redundant. If, in particular circumstances, it is considered appropriate to remove these items, the planning authority should require that they be recorded before removal and necessary plans agreed for their future re-use or storage 11.5 The Installation of New Services 11.5.1 The introduction or alteration of services within the interior of a protected structure requires extremely careful consideration in advance. Where such proposals are made for an important interior the applicant should be able to show that detailed consideration has been given to the location and design of all proposed cabling, trunking, pipework, ductwork, air-handling units, boilers, radiators, grilles and all other new items to be installed. The location and design of the installation should be approved by the planning authority prior to any works commencing. Where the installation of new services and equipment has the potential to overload an existing structural system, the proposals should be reconsidered. In these circumstances, specialist advice may be needed. 11.5.2 Exposed runs of electrical trunking or pipework and ducting can be detrimental to the character and appearance of a good interior, as can poorly considered central-heating systems. However, the disruption to a protected interior and its finishes by attempts to conceal new services can also be harmful. 11.5.3 The installation of an intruder alarm system can have a significant impact on the fabric of a historic building. Great care is needed in selecting and locating the necessary devices and wiring. It may be acceptable for electrical wiring to be chased in, providing this does not involve unacceptable damage to important fabric or finishes. Where sensitive or rare finishes exist, surface mounting may be required and if so, it should be carefully planned in advance to avoid unacceptable visual disruption of the interior. Details of the proposed installation should be approved by the planning authority prior to any works commencing. 11.5.4 Alterations connected with service installations should be reversible and should not involve the loss or damage of features such as floor finishes, skirting, dados, panelling or doors. Depending on the character of the interior, it may sometimes be acceptable to provide new service installations in a distinctively modern manner. Surface mounting requires minimal contact with and disturbance of the historic fabric, therefore enabling relatively easy removal. However, consideration should be given to the potential effect of fixings on the fabric of the building Some fixed furniture was designed to be capable of being folded away such as this Georgian butler’s table making it easy to retain in situ following a change of use. Where fixed furniture of importance has been identified, its retention in situ should be the preferred option. The possible wear and tear that may be caused to such furniture should be borne in mind where a change of use is proposed New service installations necessary to the present function of a room should be designed, located and fixed so as not to detract from the historic interior. Where a proposed change of use, or the intensification of a current use, requires enhanced levels of services, the effect on the historic interior should be assessed. In this case, the new use of a fine room required the installation of an obtrusive lighting rig which is not only visually inappropriate but which requires extensive fixings through the decorative plaster ceiling The method of providing or upgrading the services in a highquality interior should be considered from the earliest stages of design. The location of pipe or cable runs and fittings should be chosen to avoid conflict with historic plasterwork, joinery or decorative finishes. Consideration should also be given to locating water services away from important elements of the interior to avoid potential damage from burst or leaking pipes

6. Page 186

   Cite this pagePDF p. 186 (opens the publisher’s copy in a new tab)

   No text on this page — it is probably a drawing, a map, a photograph or a scanned page. See it in the PDF.

7. Page 187

   Cite this pagePDF p. 187 (opens the publisher’s copy in a new tab)
   Architectural Heritage Protection Guidelines for Planning Authorities 185 CHAPTER 12 SHOPFRONTS 12.1 Introduction 12.1.1 Carefully-designed and well-constructed shopfronts are important features of many buildings and streetscapes. There are now few shopfronts in Ireland remaining from the eighteenth century but many, mostly of timber construction, survive from the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. There are examples throughout the country of fine early twentieth-century shopfronts constructed in render and also a number of increasingly rare mid twentieth-century Art Deco or Modern Movementstyle chrome, steel, marble and glass-panelled frontages. 12.1.2 Because of the prominent role which shopfronts play in businesses, they are frequently subject to pressures for alteration or replacement to meet changing needs. A balance will need to be struck between the commercial requirements of the owners and the protection of shopfronts of special importance within the context of architectural heritage. 12.1.3 The presence of well-crafted and historic shopfronts is an important part of the character of some ACAs. Every effort should be made to protect shopfronts that are of special interest. Expert knowledge and advice may be needed in order to identify such shopfronts and their associated features. In assessing the qualities of a shopfront, the following issues should be addressed: a) Is the shopfront original to the building? b) If not, how does the shopfront integrate with the rest of the building? c) Does the shopfront complement the design of the upper floors of the building? d) Does it obstruct openings at the upper levels of the building? e) Does the shopfront stretch across two or more distinct buildings? If so, does it contribute to the character of the buildings or the ACA or detract from it? f ) What contribution does the shopfront make to the street? g) Are the materials and proportions of the shopfront appropriate to the scale and fabric of the building and/or the street? h) If not, is the shopfront nonetheless special in its own right and worthy of protection? Well-designed and constructed shopfronts, whether or not they are original to a protected structure, are generally of special interest, adding significantly to the attractiveness of shopping streets

8. Page 188

   Cite this pagePDF p. 188 (opens the publisher’s copy in a new tab)
   CHAPTER 12 SHOPFRONTS Architectural Heritage Protection Guidelines for Planning Authorities 186 i) Is there good lettering or signage incorporated within the front? This could be on the fascia signboard, on other signboards, on the windows or on the façade and gable walls of the upper floors; j) Are there any interesting details associated with the shopfront such as sill guards, retractable blinds, shutters, gates or tiling? k) Are there any details likely to be concealed behind later work? These could include parts of an earlier shopfront or parts of the original building façade; l) If there are concealed features, should they be re-exposed or is the later work of such merit that it should be left undisturbed? m) Is the shopfront intact or are there small details missing or damaged? Would replacing these details enhance the appreciation of the design? n) How is the shopfront now finished? Would its design and special character be enhanced by a more appropriate paint scheme? o) Are there later added details, for example signage, lighting, cabling or advertising boards, which detract from the character of the shopfront and which could be easily removed or relocated? IDENTIFYING SPECIAL FEATURES FOR PROTECTION 12.1.4 Features of shopfronts, which are likely to be of interest and which should be identified and protected, include pilasters or uprights, apron panels, stall risers or plinths below the display windows, any mullions or glazing bars to the display window, sill guards, fascia signboards, blinds and blind boxes, shutters and shutter boxes, cornices, cresting, consoles or brackets, doors, gates, decorative tiling to the floor of the entrance porch, and others. Where the frontage includes a display window of architectural merit at first or even second floor level, this should be protected as part of the composition. 12.1.5 Good lettering on fascias, signboards, windows or doors should be identified, as should interesting hanging signs or trade emblems, which are now increasingly rare. 12.1.6 While most of the features listed above are generally associated with traditional timber shopfronts, the importance and special interest of more recent types and designs of shopfronts and other commercial frontages should not be overlooked. Many of the materials used in twentieth-century shopfronts such as Vitrolite may no longer be manufactured and as such are irreplaceable. The functional and decorative features common to many historic shopfronts including tiled stall risers (top), ornate brackets (middle) or original shutters (bottom) are all part of the special interest of a shopfront Good lettering on sign boards, fascias or hanging signs advertising the shopholder or type of establishment may be of artistic interest, whether painted or gilt, in faïence, timber, cement, steel or neon. This watchmaker’s sign is painted in gold paint on the reverse of a glass plate with acid-etched flourishes While traditional timber shopfronts are often valued, there is also a legacy of Art Deco-style steel and Vitrolite fronts that should be equally treasured as they represent the modern spirit, new materials and design ethos of their time, illustrated in this elaborate example

9. Page 189

   Cite this pagePDF p. 189 (opens the publisher’s copy in a new tab)
   Architectural Heritage Protection Guidelines for Planning Authorities 187 CHAPTER 12 SHOPFRONTS CONSIDERATION OF PROPOSALS AFFECTING SHOPFRONTS 12.1.7 Architecturally valuable shopfronts, whether original to the building or of a later period, should not be demolished or dismantled even if a change of use is proposed which will make the shopfront redundant. This may occur, for example, when a commercial premises is to be converted to a dwelling. It could be a requirement that the shopfront be retained in place after the change of use. Proposals to remove a good, but later, shopfront in order to build a new ground floor façade purely on the basis of speculation should generally not be considered acceptable. 12.1.8 Where, within an ACA, there are proposals to remove a shopfront that is obviously of little interest or merit in order to restore a façade to its previous appearance, either matching the rest of a terrace or in accordance with the character of the area, this should normally be acceptable. 12.1.9 All light-fittings, security alarms, cameras, cabling etc. which are proposed to be fitted to or across a historic shopfront, and cannot be located elsewhere, should be required to be carefully located and fixed in order to minimise their visual impact and to avoid physical damage to the fabric. 12.2 Repair of Shopfronts 12.2.1 Where small amounts of detail are missing from a shopfront that is part of a protected structure or is within an ACA, matching replacements could be fitted. However, any such replication should always be based upon firm evidence of the original design of the shopfront using old photographs or drawings, or by replicating surviving details, for example where one bracket is missing but others remain. It should be clear on close inspection which is the original material or detail and which the replacement. 12.2.2 As with the repair of other external joinery items, as much as possible of the original fabric should be retained. The replacement of whole elements or sections for the sake of cost or convenience should not be permitted. Decayed sections should be repaired by the splicing-in of new, matching pieces of timber. The use of substitute materials such as glass-reinforced plastic to simulate carved joinery should not be permitted on shopfronts of special interest. A good quality shopfront can be retained even following a change of use, allowing it to continue to contribute to the character of the structure and of the wider area The essence of good repair work is to retain the maximum amount of viable fabric that contributes to the character of the shopfront, to carry out the work using proven methods of repair and to fit appropriately detailed new elements where necessary. This shopfront was carefully repaired with grant assistance from the local authority

10. Page 190

    Cite this pagePDF p. 190 (opens the publisher’s copy in a new tab)
    CHAPTER 12 SHOPFRONTS Architectural Heritage Protection Guidelines for Planning Authorities 188 12.3 Signage 12.3.1 New lettering and signage should be required to respect the character of the protected structure and its setting and, where relevant, the character of an ACA. 12.3.2 Where good lettering exists, but where it is imperative that new lettering be added, the new lettering could be mounted over the existing in a way which does not damage the earlier lettering and which allows for easy reversal at a later stage if required. 12.4 Awnings and Blinds 12.4.1 Proposals to install new awnings or blinds to the shopfront of a protected structure should be treated with caution. Some modern awnings require large blind boxes that can be difficult to integrate successfully with an existing shopfront without damaging its special character. Blind boxes should not be allowed to mask or cut through any detailing which contributes to the interest and quality of the façade or shopfront. Where this means that full protection of the window display cannot be achieved by means of an external blind, alternative protection such as internal filter blinds or glazing could be considered where these would not compromise the special character of the shopfront. 12.4.2 Where the fitting of a new awning or blind is considered acceptable, the design and materials should be appropriate to the character and quality of the building and its setting and, where relevant, to the character of an ACA. 12.5 Security Screens 12.5.1 External steel roller shutters are generally not suitable for use either on historic shopfronts or on the fronts of buildings within an ACA. Externally mounted shutters require large shutter boxes and side channels which are difficult to accommodate successfully on a historic façade without a substantial loss of architectural quality to both the building and its setting. The appearance of one or more closed shutters on a street can be damaging to the character of the street. Where good lettering or signage exists but a premises has changed hands, it may be possible to add new signage while leaving the original lettering in place. For example, a new signboard can be mounted over the existing one without damaging the original lettering below or, as in this illustration, new signage can be placed elsewhere on the shopfront, leaving the old name in place A new awning has been successfully fitted to this shopfront without the need for a visually obtrusive blind box The entrance doors to this establishment have been fitted with roller shutters. Although the physical impact has been minimised, the closed shutters nonetheless have a large visual impact on the appearance of the structure and the streetscape. This impact can sometimes be overcome with the use of internal demountable grilles, a less visually obtrusive option of securing a historic shopfront, especially when painted a dark or neutral colour

Source Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Architectural Heritage Protection: Guidelines for Planning Authorities (2011) · Licence the publisher's termsText read from the publisher’s PDF; tables, maps and drawings do not survive as text, and page numbers are the PDF’s (its first page is 1). Check the original before relying on a passage.