Merrett Survey Limited is proud to be involved with any project where the preservation of the World’s Heritage Sites can be enabled or improved through the application of the latest measurement and recording technologies. These include laser scanning & BIM, high quality HDR (high dynamic range) imagery, aerial survey work with UAV (drones) and photogrammetry.
The former Redruth brewery in Cornwall has been turned into the county’s new archive centre after being derelict for over a decade. The buildings at Redruth Brewery date back 200 years, but the site was badly damaged by arson attacks after the brewery closed in 2004.
Heritage specialist Purcell has since restored the site and opened Kresen Kernow (Cornwall Centre), which is a public attraction that hosts the world’s largest collection of documents, books, maps and photographs related to Cornwall’s history. As heritage survey experts, we were excited by the opportunity to assess what was Redruth Brewery
In order to aid in the restoration, Merrett Survey were commissioned to conduct a measured building survey on the brewery buildings and surrounding land and to provide a BIM model (image below) to aid with converting the building into an archive and history resource centre. This project also required a verticality analysis of the historic chimneys and walls on the site. The BIM model was used to develop the redesign and retrofit work on the site and served as the basis for working drawings
“We appointed Merrett Surveys to provide laser scanning and verticality analysis and have been impressed by their helpful, proactive approach and the quality of their produced information on what is a complex and challenging project.” Neil Farquar – Senior Architect, Purcell
The 100-year-old historic chimney on the site is the last of it’s kind in Redruth and was surveyed by Merrett Survey via drone with a high resolution camera for condition assessment. After the aerial survey, further analysis was carried out using terrestrial laser scanning methods and the verticality of the chimney was assessed.
Laser scanning and the drawings derived from it reveal the full irregularities within a historic building. Rooms are seldom anywhere near square, floors are rarely level and walls are invariably out of plumb. The use of laser scanning also reduces the need for site revisits and is a safe non-contact means of monitoring change. The high level of detail obtained through scanning provides designers and archaeologists with the fullest information needed to study and preserve the heritage fabric.
This is just one of many heritage survey projects that we have carried out in the UK. To learn more about this particular case study or our experience in the heritage sector, please call 01392 362161 or send an email to info@merrettsurvey.com.
