“Sustainability, safety and strength were key for us when carrying out the remedial works at the Globe Theatre,” says Deborah McGhee, head of building operations at Shakespeare’s Globe.
The Globe Theatre stands in the London Borough of Southwark, boasting an affluent history, with the current structure being the third to stand on the site.
Originally constructed in 1599, the first structure was destroyed by fire in 1613. The second structure was built following the blaze but was subsequently demolished in 1644 after the closure of all theatres. This left the site empty until 1997, when the third, and current, Globe Theatre was constructed.
The current structure is around 3,000ft in circumference and includes approximately 250 tonnes of lime mortar. It was built using traditional materials and techniques, notably featuring the first thatched roof in London since 1666.
A need for improvement
As part of general maintenance of the theatre, and to ensure the building was safe and could stand the test of time, an on-site survey of the lime plasterwork at The Globe was required. With around 2,000 individual lime panels, of various shapes and sizes, the job was a challenging one.
Artisan Plastercraft, a plaster restoration and conservation specialist, was commissioned to conduct the inspections and make recommendations as to the remedial works needed.
Selecting suitable, sustainable methods
Artisan Plastercraft conducted a full survey of the building in August 2019, which involved inspecting each wall panel and assessing and documenting its condition. 135 defective panels were identified, which all needed to be removed and replaced.
“To us, it was important that traditional and sustainable building methods were used throughout the remedial works,” says Deborah.
“We had used Lime Green’s products previously, and continue to work closely with the company to ensure we have access to the highest quality and most suitable materials for any given job,” says Russell Brewis, head of marketing at Artisan Plastercraft.
Artisan Plastercraft provided a selection of materials for the team at the Globe Theatre to choose from, with Lime Green’s Ultra and Lux being selected for use.
The repair method required Artisan’s craftspeople to selectively remove the old, defective lime plaster and laths from panels, then apply lime plaster as a three-coat system over new, hand riven laths, with a Tallow lime wash to finish.
“After visiting Lime Green’s site and seeing how it operates, we were more than happy to use their materials for the remedial works. It is a very impressive facility,” says Deborah.
Phase one of the repair work began in March 2020, with work being carried out on the external and internal staircases and walkways of the North Tower and East Tower. Following this, phase two commenced in July 2020, with repairs being conducted on the building’s external sides.
Under ordinary circumstances, the Globe Theatre is incredibly busy, as it is open 364 days per year. This makes it difficult to carry out any construction work during the day. For lime plaster in particular, this was a challenge, as it needs the correct temperature and the right conditions to be applied effectively.
COVID has laid the path to allow remedial work to be carried out more quickly and more in-depth analysis to be conducted, with the theatre being closed for a significant period of time.
The ideal solution
“We wanted to use a product which is traditional, yet environmentally friendly, and really stands the test of time. Lime Green Ultra achieves exactly that,” says Deborah.
The Globe Theatre’s location, on the bank of the Thames, means the building is subject to a lot of movement. Lime’s flexibility allows for this movement, and its rigidity provides protection against weathering.
“The finish looks great and it appears to be a really easy product to work with, seeing it being expertly applied by Artisan Plastercraft. We’re incredibly pleased with the results so far and would absolutely recommend Lime Green’s products to others,” concludes Deborah.
“Working with the Artisan team and Deborah at the Globe Theatre is a real pleasure. It’s great to be involved in a project with people who share the same beliefs as we do around the importance of sustainable, traditional building methods,” says Simon Ayres, co-founder and managing director at Lime Green Products Ltd.
“We were really happy with the workability of Lime Green’s products. The pre-mixed bags are quick and easy to work with,” says Russell. “Thanks to the durability and longevity of the products, a high level of insulation can be maintained for years to come.
For more information on the products used within this project, visit www.lime-green.co.uk or call 01952 728611. Additionally, visit www.artisanplastercraft.com or call 01959 571135.