Chainmail ‘out of the box’ at Mackintosh’s Hill House
● Unique solution to damp problem at masterpiece
The first pieces of a pioneering plan to save Charles Rennie Mackintosh’s domestic masterpiece from the driving west coast wind and rain have been put in place with work now under way on a giant chainmail “box” that will fit around the property and protect it from the elements.
For more than 100 years, the Hill House in Helensburgh has been absorbing the worst effects of the weather, putting the building and its unique interior at risk. Now, a unique chainmail structure is being built around the property which will shield it from the worst of the weather while allowing it to dry out and remain visible to the public.
Richard Williams, general manager for Glasgow and west at the National Trust for Scotland, said the rescue plan for the house was forged in Mackintosh’s visionary spirit.
He said: “Mackintosh was a pioneer and a visionary and we’re reflecting that spirit in our approach to saving his domestic masterpiece. What we’re doing here is a rescue plan for the long term and will, we’re sure, protect this incredible building for future generations.” This semi-permeable metallic mesh pavilion was designed by architects Carmody Groarke to allow air to circulate around the building while a major repair strategy is devised.
Architect andy g roarke said: “I would say it [Hill House] is in quite an accelerated point of decay right now. Something had to be done for the house to be able to survive.”
The Hill House was completed in 1904 for publisher Walter Blackie and his granddaughter, Ruth Currie, broke ground on the site yesterday using a specially-created spade which echoes Mackintosh’s Hill House Ladderback Chair.
Mr Blackie had an interest in the Glasgow Style when he bought the land in 1902, with Mackintosh and his wife Margaret Macdonald overseeing the design and construction of every detail of the property which was completed in 1904 at a cost of £5,000.
Portland cement was used to render sandstone but the finish allowed water to penetrate the sandstone from day one.
The house and gardens will be closed to the public during the construction of the “box” but are expected to reopen in late spring 2019, complete with new raised walkways around the exterior of the house and over the roof.
Just over £1.3 million has been raised by the public for the work.