Case Study

Church of the

Most Holy Redeemer

“Clonard”

Belfast

Project Architect:

ConsarcConservation Architects

Main Contractor:

KillowenContracts

Tiling Contractor:

Armatile

Introduction

The Church of the Most Holy Redeemer at ClonardMonastery is situated just off the

Falls Road in West Belfast, Northern Ireland. It is a centrefor unity and reconciliation

with a mission to deliver a Ministry of Ecumenism and Peace. The Church is

administered by the RedemptoristFathers, with the current Superior being Fr Michael

Murtagh.

One hundred years after holding its first service in 1911 the decision was taken to

renovate and restore the Sanctuary, Nave and back altars of the church.

While not a parish church, Clonardis held in high esteem as a centre for importance

in the faith lives of the people of Belfast and beyond for its ‘compassionate apostolate

of mediation and reconciliation’.

One hundred years after holding its first

service in 1911 the decision was taken to

renovate and restore the Sanctuary, Nave

and back altars of the church.

The nave and main altar floors were

completely removed. The original floors of

the sanctuary and rear altar areas (including

the baptismal font area) were repaired and

renovated, maintaining their integrity.

Images of Church prior to restoration work

Case Background

Clonardis of such an historical and

ecclesiastical importance we were

asked to utilise all our experience and

knowledge to overcome some of

complex issues associated with;

•Manufacturing a complex floor

designed to the Architects exacting

specifications

•Replacing segments of flooring on

the back Altars and Sanctuary

without comprising the integrity of

the section

•Refurbishing the marble steps of the

Church Sanctuary

The main floor of the church consisted of

over 450 square metres of tiles. There were

over 30 individual, intricately designed

patterns. The panels repeatedly interlocked

to form the aisles and borders of the main

floor.

All of these components were designed, cut

and created in our factory using water-jet

machinery. The individual small pieces

were assembled on mesh mounted sheets

in the factory to reduce laying time on site.

On site, these mosaic sheets were further

complemented with over 300m2 of

300x300mm white porcelain tiles in the

seating areas of the church.

Main Floor

Central Aisle

The central aisle of ClonardMonastery was

designed to incorporate design in floors

and ornate stain glass windows of the

original build.

These decorative designs form a beautiful

walkway that link the rear and main alters.

They include a mix of plain tiles and

specially produced waterjet cut pieces cut

and created using water-jet machinery.

Decorative Curved Borders

The curved border was integral to the

project inter-locking all the decorative

aspects within the church. It was made

up of individual pieces cut from porcelain

tiles and mounted on to mesh for ease on

fitting on site.

The border was designed have

interlocking sheets that repeat while

simultaneously curving to complement

the main altars.

Each sheet was numeredand test laid to

a template in the factory facility prior to

being transported to site to ensure

accuracy for ease of installation. All of

these features were, programmed,

managed and created using our water-jet

technology.

The beautiful marble steps of the semi-

circular Sanctuary had, for many years, been

covered with carpet.

Armatile expertly removed the marble steps

and risers intact. Each piece was identified

with a numbering system and removed from

site for preservation and refurbishment.

The area then had to be re-cased exactly to

a template of the marble steps.

The marble was brought back to life by re-

fabricating and polishing. The pieces were

then replaced and re-polished on site. The

Sanctuary steps provide an amazing focal

point of the church.

Before

During

After

Ensuring Integrity without Compromise

Technologies in itself do not provide the complete service.

The process of identifying alternatives to the original materials used and being

aware of how these will react to the environment, and various treatments they

will be subject to over time, has been gained through considerable experience

in this area of conservation and restoration.

Ensuring Integrity without Compromise

Each of the special pieces on each sheet

had to be programmed, individually

waterjet cut and partially assembled

before being laid out on test floor sections

prior to going to site.

Each section of floor was then coded,

labelled and packed separately to

facilitate ease of sorting and fitting.

This step by step process was essential

to quality control and ease of streaming

from tiles to production then on to site

and fitting.

Importance of Quality Control

We have a understanding and working

knowledge of Conservation and restoration

projects. They require a wholly different

approach to other commercial contracts. As in

‘Clonard’, the maintenance of the buildings

original features are the primary. Our modern

cutting technologies, knowledge and experience

provides two solutions;

•Firstly, the ability to effectively reproduce old

designs that, in many cases, are

indistinguishable from the original.

•Secondly, the ability to manufacture uniquely

designed floor patterns while being aware of

the particular protocols and sensitivities

associated with this type of contract.

Conclusion

All material manufactured in the UK by:

Armatile

Station Road Industrial Estate

Loughgall Road

Armagh

BT61 7NP

028 37527007 (Head office)

0207 1111 613 (London Office)

design@armatile.com

www.armatilearchitectural.comConclusion