This April, Hampton Court Palace are commemorating in spectacular style the 500th Anniversary of King Henry VIII’s accession to the throne. A number of exhibitions and events will be held in Base Court, which has been restored by leading architect and historic building consultant Purcell Miller Tritton.
As Design Team Leaders, Purcell Miller Tritton initially undertook a feasibility study to assess whether it would be possible to reinstate an authentic paving scheme in the court. The magnificent outer quadrangle has undergone a number of changes throughout its lifetime, and little evidence of the Henrician paving scheme has survived. However, photos of Sir Christopher Wren’s original plans have survived and it was agreed that these would form the basis of the new design.
Purcell Miller Tritton worked closely with all members of the project team during this challenging project, which entailed resurfacing work, the conservation of the existing building fabric and extensive archaeological investigation, documentation and protection. In fact, the project proved so intriguing that Channel 4’s Time Team have recorded a special programme about Base Court, which is due to be aired this weekend.
The new surface, laid in limestone from Purbeck and Kentish Rag quarries, has been carefully constructed using reversible traditional bedding and jointing techniques to replicate the historic project. A new drainage system has been integrated within Wren’s historic brick culvert scheme, and Base Court now has improved disabled access and new power, lighting, sound and IT infrastructures to service Historic Royal Palaces’ flexible interpretation requirements and enable major events in the future.
Commenting on the project, Mark Goldspink, CEO of Purcell Miller Tritton, said, “We are delighted to have been involved with this unique project that faithfully restores Sir Christopher Wren’s original work. This is the most recent scheme that Purcell Miller Tritton has worked on for Historic Royal Palaces and we hope that there will be many more.”