West Register House

Under our Framework agreement, Hardies have provided ongoing support to National Records of Scotland in the upkeep and maintenance of their historic estate that includes three Category A Listed buildings. Designed by Robert Adam in 1774, General Register House is one of the world’s oldest custom built archive buildings still in its original use and incorporates the Adam Dome that features decorative plasterwork with gilding and a central natural light source inspired by the Pantheon in Rome.

Following concern on the condition of the historic plasterwork to the Adam Dome, Hardies led the technical investigation work whilst working with other specialist consultants and craftsmen to identify the nature of defects to the plaster and trial pilot repairs to best identify repair techniques and materials that would provide an effective restoration solution without compromising the aesthetic and quality of the historic environment. A full internal scaffold structure has been provided, filling the entire Dome, to allow fingertip surveys to be completed to all plaster surfaces whilst providing a safe working platform for the repairs. This has been further augmented by a series of access improvements within the Dome void that allow required repairs to be undertaken from the topside of the timber and plaster structure.

Works are currently underway and will conclude in late 2021 following the redecoration of the Adam Dome in a sympathetic colour palette to reflect the original design intention of Robert Adam.