Alumni engagement and philanthropy



QUEEN'S LANYON CONSERVATION PROJECT NOMINATED FOR HERITAGE ANGEL AWARD  

07 October 2019

Work on Queen's University Belfast's iconic Lanyon Building, one of Northern Ireland’s most recognisable landmark buildings, has been shortlisted in the Heritage Angel Awards Northern Ireland, voting for which closes this Friday.

Organised by Ulster Architectural Heritage and funded by the Andrew Lloyd Webber Foundation, Armagh City Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council and the Department for Communities, the Awards acknowledge the efforts of people who go to extraordinary lengths to protect, save and share their local heritage.

The Awards celebrate the achievements and determination of 'unsung heroes', the individuals and groups who show passion, commitment and initiative in tackling often challenging restoration projects, who work tirelessly to protect their local historic buildings and keep heritage alive and thriving for the next generation.

The Heritage Angel initiative was founded in 2011 by Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber in GB. Northern Ireland has been participating in the programme since 2017.

Shortlisted in the 'Best Major Regeneration of a Historic Building or Place' category, the University's Lanyon Conservation Project involved major conservation and restoration work on the iconic Lanyon building, and vividly demonstrates the University's ongoing commitment, as custodians of its built heritage, to preserve and maintain our historic buildings for future generations.

Commenting on the nomination, Damien Toner, Director of Estates at Queen's University, said: "We are proud and delighted that our Lanyon Conservation Project has been shortlisted for a prestigious Heritage Angel Award.

“My team have worked hard, and with exceptional commitment and attention to detail, to conserve our historic Lanyon building for generations to come.

“Instantly recognisable and one of Belfast's great architectural pieces, we are extremely proud to have protected the iconic Lanyon building for the future."

Undertaken between 2017 and 2019, the conservation and restoration of the Lanyon's façade marked the first major project to comprehensively restore the original building and involved the refurbishment and replacement of stone, brickwork, windows, leadwork, and rainwater goods on its north, south, and west elevations.

By utilising traditional skills and techniques, the conservation work returned the building to its former splendour, while retaining the character of age and most of its original fabric.

The new stonework is carefully integrated into the existing historic fabric and the new brickwork, selected to match the older bricks, has been inserted only where necessary. Rainwater goods, so often the Cinderellas of any renovation work, have been upgraded to cope with climatic conditions and ensure the future protection of the building from water ingress.

The windows are, however, perhaps the greatest achievement in what was from the outset a project carried out to the highest conservation standards.

Originally designed by Sir Charles Lanyon and opened in 1849, the building is now one of 300+ buildings in the University estate, many of which are listed for their architectural importance.

Charles Lanyon was also responsible for other Belfast landmarks such as Crumlin Road Gaol, the Customs House and Belfast Castle.

Speaking on the video outlining the project, Librarian Karen Latimer said, “Charles Lanyon made the decision – let’s really have a spectacular exterior and later generations can sort out the interiors.

“I think that was a clever decision and, if you want, what’s been done now is a continuation of the work that Lanyon and his team were doing in the mid-19th century.”

The Heritage Angel Awards NI 2019 will be celebrated at a ceremony at the Market Place Theatre, Armagh on the evening of 29 October 2019.

Voting closes on Friday 11 October; graduates, students, staff and members of the public can vote for the project here.

To submit graduate news items, or for general enquiries about this story, please contact Gerry Power, Communications Officer, Development and Alumni Relations Office, Queen's University Belfast or telephone: +44 (0)28 9097 5321.

Back to Main News

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

           

Top of Page