# Historical Building & Structure Relocation

### "Moving History."

With over 30 years experience we are particularly proud of our ability and track record in the relocation of historic buildings, structures & machinery. Brick by brick dismantling and reconstruction is our forte.

We understand the importance of careful dismantling, recording and reconstruction of historical buildings, as well as the processes involved in their restoration.

Takedown: Hall St, Dudley - Rebuilt: Black Country Living Museum, Dudley

"Holland Contracting worked for me for many years on the recording, dismantling and reconstruction of historical buildings being saved for the Black Country Living Museum.

In 2009 they were our first choice to manage the time critical rescue of Birmingham Road Buildings, including Hobbs Fish & Chip Shop and the adjoining gentleman's outfitters known as Morrall’s.

Holland Contracting always carried out excellent work, often within very tight financial time and quality restraints."

Ian N Walden OBE BSc FMA

## Case Study: Hobbs & Morralls - Fish and Chip Shop and Gentleman's Outfitters

We were engaged by the Black Country Living Museum Trust to carefully dismantle and rebuild this historic fish and chip shop and gentleman's outfitters, as part of the museum's Streets ahead expansion development.￼

## Reasons for relocating your structure

There are several reasons why a structure might require relocation. One obvious example is urban regeneration, where the local developments and infrastructure require buildings to be removed which should not be demolished. Another example is when the ground stability or landscape of an area is changing, causing damage or risk of collapse to a building of historic importance. Relocation of interesting builds can also maximise economic development in sensitive areas.

## Your Building

Our relocation techniques involve extensive photography & detailed recording & surveying, to ensure that buildings can be replicated identically in their new locations.

In consultation with you we can, if necessary, enable the building to be greatly improved in areas such as structural integrity and building control regulations. Where modern systems are required, for example fire alarms, great care is taken to minimise visual impact.

Recording and cataloguing each individual brick, piece of stone, window, door and all other physical features, preserves the accuracy and historical merit of the structure.

Where damage or erosion has taken place, suitable reclaimed or matching parts are sourced. Stone work can also be matched or cut from new.

Using current building Control Regulations the building may need steel or concrete supports, however, we would aim to minimise visual impact by incorporating these within the structure of the building.

Thermal or insulation products may also be used during reconstruction. This measure will ensure great reductions in the future running costs associated with heating, lighting and other utilities.

"Over the past few years Holland Contracting have carried out various works both off site and on site at the Museum. They have undertaken these tasks with enthusiasm and diligence and the Black Country Museum thank you for your achievements in completing these construction projects."

Mr S.J. Owens, Construction Manager, Black Country Museum

## Case Study: Old Birmingham Road Rebuild

These pictures are from the rebuild of Old Birmingham Road, Holland's were asked to both take down the buildings from Oldbury and reconstruct them on the museum site next to Hobbs Fish & Chip Shop and Morrall's Gentleman's Outfitters

## Case Study: Nailmaker's Cottage, Bromsgrove

The Heritage Lottery Fund has enabled the careful dismantling of this unique 19th century nailmaker's cottage, and its reassembly at Avoncroft Museum in Stoke Heath.

The humble two-up, two-down brick cottage with its single-storey nailer’s workshop has survived in Lickey End since the time Bromsgrove was the world capital for nailmaking - when the town produced a staggering four billion nails a year.

The records show that the cottage remained in the same family between 1871-2008, after which the building has stood empty. The cottage is largely unaltered, and has been described by experts as a remarkable find.

Each piece of this building has been documented and relocated to the museum. The rebuild took approximately 18 weeks and now sits proud on the museum site.

Work enabling the fit out (phase 2) is currently on hold whilst the museum attempts to secure further funding.

The internal work will consist of lime plastering, traditional wallpaper, original timber work, internal doors and decoration.

## Case Study: Signal Box, Blakedown

After plans were made to demolish the 19th Century Blakedown Signal Box in Mill Lane, Network Rail donated the structure to Churchill and Blakedown Parish Council, on the condition that they could move it.

The signal box, built in 1888, was too close to the track to be utilized where it was situated; at a mere 2 meters away it was in the red zone for passing trains, meaning it needed to be taken down, brick by brick, and rebuilt in a new location.

Wyre Forest District Council and Community Housing agreed to the signal box being rebuilt on the other side of Mill Lane, in a tenant's garden. A historical society will be formed, which will use the signal box as a meeting place.

The takedown was done during track closures, and took some 20 hours to remove overnight. We are very proud of this achievement, given the timescale and the constraints we were under.

Upon its rebuild, the signal box has been altered to accomodate its change of use. The building now has a disabled toilet, its main entrance is disabled compliant, and it has an internal lift to facilitate movement between floors. The external staircase, which has been made in Idigbo wood, will replace the modern steel staircase which was removed during the takedown.

## Case Study: DNRC Game House

The Game House is a brick, timber and tile structure at Stanford Hall near Loughborough which is to be moved from its current site, stored, and then replaced in a new location within the DNRC development.

Our proposal was that the structure could be relocated in one piece, using proven methods and techniques although challenging this was a success.

A purpose made lifting frame was designed and installed to ensure the building could be lifted, transported and unloaded.

The building is now resting in the heritage compound awaiting its restoration.

This video shows the Game House being lifted from it's original position:

## Case Study: DNRC Lido

Our brief was to relocate these diving boards within the Stanford Hall development for restoration and relocation to their final position.

The boards are of a single unit construction with heavy counter balancing base whit

Upon investigation the exhibit showed signs of exposed reinforcement and concrete spalling

Each board was protected and supported by a purpose made lifting frame designed, engineered and manufactured by our team of specialists.