News Archive
October 2018
Field trip to Brittany and Normandy inspecting various sites where lime had been used. Sites were visited in: Brest; Concarneau, Rennes, Mount St Michael & St Malo.
November 2018
Director attends St Astier lime quarry & manufacturing plant in France for an exchange of information following the Directions research paper on lime mortars. The Director has maintained impartiality & has not been sponsored by any lime manufacturer or supply company. He has no vested interest in promoting a particular type or brand of lime, just wanting limes to be used appropriately without failures.
November 2018
St Georges Methodist Chapel Truro conversion is completed and units marketed for sale. SMT Associates altered the original Architects design to facilitate an improved design which allowed for retention of the Historic Sunday school roof structure. Building Regulations approval was obtained. Damp & timber surveys were undertaken & schedules of repair were provided for the Architect & Quantity Surveyor covering: Bathstone cleaning, conservation & repair, internal lining systems, & timber repairs.
January 2019
Continued work for the Tregothnan Estate concerning the maintenance of existing buildings and the refurbishment, conversion, extension and construction of new buildings.
February 2019
Director attends 5 day Timber Species Identification course at Kew Gardens London. The course was taught by the internationally recognised Dr Peter Gasson. Included: detailed study of wood structure, methods used for the identification of wood including keys, tables, atlases, computer systems and comparison with authenticated material, & lectures and practical identification.
March 2019
Historical research, recording & appraisal of former Counthouse in St Agnes. Undertook full appraisal & suggested alteration & extension option to clients. A full damp & timber survey was undertaken.
April 2019
Damp & timber survey of former Public House & retail premises in St Austell. Moisture sampling undertaken and testing of timbers undertaken with micro drill. Voids inspected with borescope. Report provided for Architect prior to scheme design.
April 2019
Smile Together dental practice opens in former Bodmin Grammar School. SMT Associates undertook the damp and timber surveys and prepared design, specifications & schedules of work for architect to use with contract documents.
May 2019
Expert witness reports prepared with respect to failures of lime mortars. A number of failures are coming to light where non-hydraulic putty lime and simple silica sand mortars have been used externally in a marine climate on exposed sites in Cornwall, and across the UK.
June 2019
Listed building application for new windows – former chapel in Perranwell. Formerly SMT Associates have fully surveyed the property & have installed & monitored ventilation systems to prevent/control condensation.
July 2019
Decorations including the re-application of hot mix lime wash & environmental controls completed at the Grade I listed building – The Old Duchy Palace
August 2019
Feasibility study undertaken for clients proposed scheme to open up a World War II airfield for pleasure flights in vintage aircraft. Measured building & Topographical surveys were undertaken & plans provided including 3D visuals.
September 2019
Condition survey of Grade II* listed Chapel. Specific advice and works specified to “mothball” the building.
September 2019
Director attends International Lime Conference in Stirling Scotland with various speakers and site visits to Duane Castle, Stirling Castle & Great Hall & Dunblane Cathedral.
October 2019
Utilising BIM 3D software for feasibility studies for extensions to listed buildings We use Vectorworks Software to freely sketch, model, and document your design ideas with precision drafting capabilities and the most flexible 3D modeling engine available.
November 2019
Director to publish articles on lime mortar based on research papers in 1999 & 2017 and experience and use of lime mortars over last 23 years
 |
January 2016: Measured building Survey at the Poly Building Falmouth |
 |
January 2016: Continued damp monitoring at Pengersick Castle & Chepstow Castle |
 |
December 2015: Expert witness report for the NHBC in South Hams regarding failure of lime renders |
 |
October 2015: Shop Refurbishment in Union Street Torquay |
 |
September 2015: The Director of SMT Associates commences the second year of a MSc in Timber Conservation |
 |
July 2015: Planning application for the conversion of the Reading Room in Feock to a dwelling |
 |
2015: Continued work for the Tregothnan Estate concerning the maintenance of existing buildings and the refurbishment, conversion, extension and construction of new buildings |
October 2018
Field trip to Brittany and Normandy inspecting various sites where lime had been used. Sites were visited in: Brest; Concarneau, Rennes, Mount St Michael & St Malo.
November 2018
Director attends St Astier lime quarry & manufacturing plant in France for an exchange of information following the Directions research paper on lime mortars. The Director has maintained impartiality & has not been sponsored by any lime manufacturer or supply company. He has no vested interest in promoting a particular type or brand of lime, just wanting limes to be used appropriately without failures.
November 2018
St Georges Methodist Chapel Truro conversion is completed and units marketed for sale. SMT Associates altered the original Architects design to facilitate an improved design which allowed for retention of the Historic Sunday school roof structure. Building Regulations approval was obtained. Damp & timber surveys were undertaken & schedules of repair were provided for the Architect & Quantity Surveyor covering: Bathstone cleaning, conservation & repair, internal lining systems, & timber repairs.
January 2019
Continued work for the Tregothnan Estate concerning the maintenance of existing buildings and the refurbishment, conversion, extension and construction of new buildings.
February 2019
Director attends 5 day Timber Species Identification course at Kew Gardens London. The course was taught by the internationally recognised Dr Peter Gasson. Included: detailed study of wood structure, methods used for the identification of wood including keys, tables, atlases, computer systems and comparison with authenticated material, & lectures and practical identification.
March 2019
Historical research, recording & appraisal of former Counthouse in St Agnes. Undertook full appraisal & suggested alteration & extension option to clients. A full damp & timber survey was undertaken.
April 2019
Damp & timber survey of former Public House & retail premises in St Austell. Moisture sampling undertaken and testing of timbers undertaken with micro drill. Voids inspected with borescope. Report provided for Architect prior to scheme design.
April 2019
Smile Together dental practice opens in former Bodmin Grammar School. SMT Associates undertook the damp and timber surveys and prepared design, specifications & schedules of work for architect to use with contract documents.
May 2019
Expert witness reports prepared with respect to failures of lime mortars. A number of failures are coming to light where non-hydraulic putty lime and simple silica sand mortars have been used externally in a marine climate on exposed sites in Cornwall, and across the UK.
June 2019
Listed building application for new windows – former chapel in Perranwell. Formerly SMT Associates have fully surveyed the property & have installed & monitored ventilation systems to prevent/control condensation.
July 2019
Decorations including the re-application of hot mix lime wash & environmental controls completed at the Grade I listed building – The Old Duchy Palace
August 2019
Feasibility study undertaken for clients proposed scheme to open up a World War II airfield for pleasure flights in vintage aircraft. Measured building & Topographical surveys were undertaken & plans provided including 3D visuals.
September 2019
Condition survey of Grade II* listed Chapel. Specific advice and works specified to “mothball” the building.
September 2019
Director attends International Lime Conference in Stirling Scotland with various speakers and site visits to Duane Castle, Stirling Castle & Great Hall & Dunblane Cathedral.
October 2019
Utilising BIM 3D software for feasibility studies for extensions to listed buildings We use Vectorworks Software to freely sketch, model, and document your design ideas with precision drafting capabilities and the most flexible 3D modeling engine available.
November 2019
Director to publish articles on lime mortar based on research papers in 1999 & 2017 and experience and use of lime mortars over last 23 years
|
January 2016: Measured building Survey at the Poly Building Falmouth |
|
January 2016: Continued damp monitoring at Pengersick Castle & Chepstow Castle |
|
December 2015: Expert witness report for the NHBC in South Hams regarding failure of lime renders |
|
October 2015: Shop Refurbishment in Union Street Torquay |
|
September 2015: The Director of SMT Associates commences the second year of a MSc in Timber Conservation |
|
July 2015: Planning application for the conversion of the Reading Room in Feock to a dwelling |
|
2015: Continued work for the Tregothnan Estate concerning the maintenance of existing buildings and the refurbishment, conversion, extension and construction of new buildings |