PROJECT
GRANDOPERAHOUSE, BELFAST
HISTORIC INTERIOR RESTORATION D ecowell was commissioned to undertake complete restoration of the decorative surfaces in the historic auditorium of the Grand Opera House.
of Frank Matcham’s original design of 1895. The auditorium had not been cleaned since the late 1970s, the same time as Cherith McKinstry’s fine ceiling paintings were installed. The paintings and decorative embellishments throughout the auditorium were fully conserved and restored. Decowell is a specialist practice with 26 years of experience at the highest level, providing a full range of conservation/ restoration and consultancy services, specialising in the treatment of painted and applied decoration on plaster, stone, wood and canvas. The Decowell team of conservators and craftspeople restored the Grand Opera House’s magnificent decorative surfaces with the upmost care and consideration. Conservation treatment, established by research, informed their decisions following ethical principles as defined by the Institute of Conservations Professional Standards.
The aim of this project was to consolidate and preserve the painted and gilt surfaces in order to maintain the most recent decorative scheme. This involved the conservation, cleaning, retouching and redecorating of architectural detailing, which is original to the building and part
T: +44 (0)28 9045 2532 T: +44 (0)79 7692 9162 E: ruth@decowell.co.uk www.decowell.co.uk
BESPOKE PLASTER MOULDINGS L ocal experts, Belfast Mouldings, were requested to repair and restore the 125-year-old auditorium’s uniquely decorative plasterwork inside the Grand Opera House. professional service specialising in
superior quality fibrous plaster mouldings, including renovation and restoration.
This included conserving, stabilising and reinforcing the existing enrichments and decorative panels and, where required, manufacturing new enrichments in their workshops and fixing these on site. They were also tasked with repairing and conserving the elephant heads that are synonymous with the GOH. After completion of the works, they also carried out the Baseline Survey for identification of the suspended ceiling over the main auditorium for any future works. Belfast Mouldings specialise in the design, manufacture and site-fixing of standard and bespoke plaster mouldings for interiors together with sand/cement mouldings for exteriors. This family- run business offers a personal and
Commenting on the project, Tom Potter, proprietor of Belfast Mouldings said, “It has been a privilege to have the opportunity
to restore a venue with such a strong Belfast history and an auditorium as rich and spectacular as the Grand Opera House. Having worked on the original restoration back in 1974 and later again in 1994 after a bomb had exploded in Glengall Street adjoining the theatre, it is fantastic to see it back its former glory.”
T: +44 (0)28 9064 6699 M: +44 (0)7802408848 Email: wtpotter@hotmail.co.uk www.belfastmouldings.yolasite.com
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