Congratulations to Andrew Molloy, our newest Conservation Architect! Andrew has achieved accreditation from the RIBA to provide competent professional advice in the diverse field of conservation practice.
More than one in five buildings in the UK pre-dates 1919 and there is a huge need for qualified practitioners like Andrew to ensure our historic environment is safeguarded for future generations.
Conservation Architects are tasked with finding design solutions which include the repair, maintenance, adaptation and re-use of historic buildings and places that sustain and promote their cultural significance.
To achieve accreditation, Andrew submitted a body of work regarding conservation projects he has been working on for Hamilton Architects over the past several years.
These included Nazareth House in Derry, a World War II Trainer Dome on the North Coast, Bushmills Courthouse, and Garron Tower at Carnlough, Co Antrim. Each project brought its own particular set of challenges.
Nazareth House, built in 1892, was designed by renowned Catholic Church architect Edward Toye. It had been derelict for a decade and was suffering from extensive dry rot when it was repurposed as a social housing scheme.
The challenge was to provide accommodation which would afford residents a required level of modern comfort while providing innovative heating and ventilation solutions which would enable the historic fabric of the building to breathe.
The Trainer Dome at Artikelly, one of only six surviving in the UK, has fallen into extensive disrepair since 1945. Innovative thinking will be needed to transform the Dome into a unique community resource space while retaining the spirit and character of the original structure.
The Courthouse Shared Space Creative Hub overlooking the River Bush in Bushmills will see the Grade B1 listed Georgian courthouse, built circa 1834, transformed into a vibrant space for artisans, community events, visitors, café and retail space.
St Killian’s College, Carnlough, is situated in the Antrim Coast and Glens Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. This ongoing project calls for the construction of a new stand-alone school building and refurbishment works.
Listed Building consent has been granted for the existing well-known Grade B1 listed Castle building, Garron Tower, which will eventually become a Sixth Form Centre. Andrew’s expertise was called to assess the condition of the stonework of the old Tower.
