Busy, busy, busy! The roof renovation project at Alfred East Gallery and Kettering Library has made great strides over the summer. Here’s a round-up of all the progress made in the last few weeks.
With scaffolding now completed around the Gallery and Library and a temporary tent protecting both Grade II listed buildings from the elements, work can now begin to strip the existing roofs and start the reroofing process.
Alfred East Gallery
The home of Kettering’s art collection first opened its doors in 1913 and now, over 112 years later, the roof is old and tired. Originally built as an extension to the existing Kettering Library, it is architecturally very different and unlike its next-door neighbour, does not feature any Collyweston slate. Instead, the roof of the Gallery is mainly flat and covered with felt and lead.
The roof of Alfred East Gallery with raised glazed areas
Segments of the roof were originally glazed, but there is now a much better understanding of the damage sunlight can cause to artworks. By the 1980s, the glass was covered with paint and film in an attempt to protect the artworks being exhibited inside. They were then covered again with plywood and felt, which is now beginning to reach the end of its life.
A close-up of the damaged lead
All this will be stripped and replaced with a new stainless steel structure, covering the entire roof. The glazed areas will be properly insulated with improved ventilation, and the stainless steel will provide a more permanent solution to the previous roof.
Above the entrance hallway
The entrance hallway of the Gallery has a much lower ceiling than the two main exhibition spaces, with a lower roof above it and its own glazed area. This unfortunately is not ideal when considering the British weather and rain is limited to where it can go.
The new roof will resolve this problem by raising the roof to the same level as the rest of the building, vastly improving drainage. Watertight and futureproofed – the home of Kettering’s art collection will be protected for many generations to come.
Meanwhile, inside the building is also looking very different and the scaffolding is not just restricted to the outside of Alfred East Gallery.
The Gallery’s largest exhibition space
Visitors to the Gallery will remember our exhibition spaces and their high ceilings which tower several metres above the floor. While this impressive scale provides impact and a “wow factor” to everyone who enjoys our exhibitions, it can prove to be dangerous to anybody working on the roof.
As the Gallery’s roof is replaced, this internal scaffolding not only reduces risk of falling, ensuring that contractors stay safe, but also gives access to our lighting rig. Specialist exhibition lighting will soon be installed, ready for these spaces to be filled with art once more.
Kettering Library
Next door to the Gallery, Kettering Library’s roof has posed a different challenge to contractors with multiple pitched sections all tiled with Collyweston slate. We are pleased to report that the existing slate has now been entirely stripped and the timber beneath has been found to be in good condition with little evidence of decay. Work is progressing quickly and contractors are on track to reroof the Grade II listed building.
A small section of the Library roof after being stripped
But this project is not just about Collyweston. Perched on top of the roof since 1904, the cupola of Kettering Library has become an iconic feature of our town’s skyline. The small dome has weathered many storms over the last 121 years and is now beginning to show its age.
The Library’s cupola
Made of lead and timber, some of the wooden elements have begun to deteriorate. As the timber decayed, Sections of the herringbone pattern have fallen away over time. With scaffolding now surrounding the cupola itself, contractors can get as close as possible, ready for restoration. This closer look now reveals the remains of the original paint.
The cupola up close
As part of the renovation works on the Library and Gallery roof, the cupola will now be restored to its former glory.
Make sure to follow us on social media for further updates as the exciting Cornerstone roof project continues.
Remember that during restoration, Kettering Library remains open to the public in their temporary home. Head to the rear of the Library and Gallery, where you’ll find the Library team inside the new extension, happy to help as always.