The Flour Mill Dundee is an exciting building with much background and history and visitors are expressing curiosity, excitement and nostalgia. As part of the Flour Mill Dundee project, we are passionate about taking care of this building. We intend to ensure its heritage remains and the building lasts for years to come. The Flour Mill Dundee aims to provide cool and compelling co-working and office spaces in the heart of Dundee.
Restoration
An element of the project is restoring the extraordinary stonework in the building. The stonework is an amazing highlight weaved throughout the building. It brings an unusual and alluring background to the office spaces and co-working within the Flour Mill Dundee. Therefore, it is important to us that we look after this feature so users get the most from their space.
To restore the stonework properly, we hired Frew Conservation to come and analyse the stonework and pointing. They took samples of the stonework and pointing, analysed those and came up with an appropriate pointing recipe. We also got some advice on actions we should take to ensure we preserve the life of the building.
Pointing
Pointing means the finish between the bricks and stone. It is important that the finish is of the correct mixture to avoid damage to the building and be flexible to the elements.
Weirdly enough, stonework has life and pointing is the lungs of the stonework. It must be able to breathe and drain where necessary in order to live as long as possible. (Imagine having a wall feature in your office that is living and breathing beside you!)
If the water cannot drain from the stonework through the pointing, it will inevitably deteriorate. Think of the oceans battering the stone around the coasts.
Older finishes are typically lime based and a more modern finish will be a cement mixture. Therefore, it is vital to use the correct pointing according to the stonework. Cement can trap moisture causing dampness.
Lime Mortar
Lime is one of the first truly green and versatile building materials. Compared to cement, its more durable but less strong. Its cheaper to produce, is better for the environment, biodegradable and also recyclable.
The ancient Egyptians were the first to use Lime Mortar in the pyramids in Giza. Greeks were also great users of the material. As a result, some of them are still standing today. Lime mortar has proven to be as durable and useful building material over thousands of years.
The Frew Conservation findings demonstrated that cement mixture was used on top of the lime to fill the gaps in previous projects. So to fix this, the existing cement must be cut away. The existing pointing will be brushed down with special brushes to avoid damage to the existing structure. The gaps will then be filled with the specified Lime Mortar recipe, therefore giving life back to the stonework.
Consequently, you will be able to see the lime mortar weaved throughout the stonework within the Flour Mill Dundee. The historical background igniting creativity and inspiration throughout the office spaces and co-working.
Scottish Lime Centre Trust
The professional experts at the Scottish Lime Centre Trust., led by Rex Jayne are leading the project.
The Scottish Lime Centre Trust “promotes the knowledge and traditional skills required for the conservation, repair and maintenance of the historic built environment.” Adding to the team of surgeons saving and restoring the life of this beautiful building.
So, another step pulling us closer to the finished venture. Each discovery as exciting as the last.
The detail, precision, analysis and work being carried out in the Flour Mill Dundee provides a unique and inspiring office and co-working spaces in the creative heart of Dundee. Most of all, we want you to be proud of your space. Maybe being surrounded by beautiful stonework might just take the edge off the hard work you do!
If you are interested in an office or co-working space at the Flour Mill Dundee, click here.
