Art as Construction or Construction as Art?

Work still continues at a steady pace as each step of this type of project needs careful consideration and a high degree of precision to ensure the bridge can be restored to the best possible standard.

The removal of the original landing and supporting arches reveals why such time and care needs to be taken in carrying out such a complex task.

The close up below highlights the layers of brick carefully bonded together to hold up the bridge which surround the access to the house. The risks that come with such a project require the steadiest of hands, as taking away too much could lead to major problems in the foundation.

Further care and observations also have to be made in order to get the composition of the new replacement bricks as close as possible to that of the old ones whilst also being more steadfast.

                                     Note also the arches span in two directions!

The ‘Artists in Burnt Clay’ really come into their own on this type of project where care and attention to detail are paramount.

A very different kind of Art to that normally found at Beningbrough!

A range of other skills are also vital within this stage of the project  as the brick arches also need to be supported across the spans whilst each brick layer is laid and the arch is built up to it’s required thickness, ready to support those weighty stone flags.

                           The ‘formwork’ is a picture of this complex process below.

This formwork stays in place until the arches are completed, the mortar set and the craftsmen are confident it can be ‘struck’ then the soffit of the arches are pointed to achieve a perfect finish.

Note the picture above in which the old brick which will bond to the new, this is one of the last key steps in restoring the Southbridge to its former glory.

Why not keep an eye on its progress and be one of the first to come and view it magnificence when finished.