UK is a land of picturesque mountains and artistic chapels. Be it the countryside of the cities, chapels are something which blend the both history and architecture together bringing out the best of rooted tradition and modernity. While the religion and tradition have witnessed the ebb and flow of time but something that remained constant was the love and dedication of the masses for these chapels. Although these are the focal point or the root of religion and belief but with the passage of time, even these architectural wonders restoration and repair. So, in this article we will be exploring in detail what exactly is a chapel and how does it deteriorate with time. Also, with the help of a case study, we will be trying to understand how a chapel deteriorates with the passage of time and what are the ways in which these architectural wonders can be preserved.
The Essence of a Chapel
An architectural wonder of human devotion and ingenuity, chapels are the carriers of tradition and heritage. Not just buildings of concrete and mortar but these are the building blocks of civilisation and spirituality. These chapels can be found anywhere in the country depending on the kind of population and the type of city. Ranging from towering chapels in the cities to those countryside chapels nestled among the beautiful meadows, these are huge in numbers and these are something which needs to be taken care of and protected from getting damaged.
The Process of Deterioration
The walls and the window panes of the chapels are often adorned with intricate stonework and colourful glass windows. These are the most beautiful things which beautifies the overall look of the chapel but with time, changing weather, dust, dirt and pollution, these window panes deteriorate and require a thorough restoration and curtain wall repair.
Another common issue faced by these chapels is that due to various factors, the rust accumulates on the architectural steelwork and therefore degrades it. Preventing it from degradation in order to keep it new and serene requires restoration to be done on a timely basis.
Case Study: St. Mary’s Chapel
Located in the heart of the bustling city of London where culture meets modernity is the St. Mary’s chapel. This chapel was built in the 19th century and as time passed the curtain walls and the window panes started to turn old and lost the lustre. In order to help the building regain the lost shine and beauty, the process called curtain wall spraying was employed and this just helped in turning the building new and beautiful. This involved thorough cleaning of the glass window panes before applying the protective coating. Once the process was done, the chapel regained its original look and today stands tall as a symbol of London’s rich history and heritage.
Ways of Chapel Restoration
An excellent amalgamation of innovation and tradition, these chapels are restored and renovated by employing various techniques. So, here we will be discussing various techniques used and how will they beautify your buildings.
- Historical documentation- The process of renovation begins with the thorough research about the architecture and its history.
- Curtain wall repair- This technique is employed to safeguard the façade from environmental damage
- Architectural steelwork- This is the process which increases the life of the railings made of steel which in turn helps in strengthening the life and longevity of the buildings.
- Ceiling restoration- Restoration is a tough process which should be carried out only by skilled craftsmen. Ceiling restoration is the process which makes sure that the roof and the ceiling of the building is preserved thereby ensuring that the interior beauty of the chapel is maintained.
Summing Up
In this world of ever-changing trends and designs, something which remains constant and makes you remember and pay homage to your rich history are these chapels. These are not mere buildings or a holy place but something which reminds you that this is from where we started and it is the same place where you come back to whenever happy or shattered in life. Maintaining these beautiful heritages is the demand of time and these were few techniques which are commonly employed in keeping them new and fresh.
