Old Aberdeen’s pepper pots:
Powis Gate King’s College
Old Aberdeen · c. 2006
Powis Gate is a Category B listed gateway built in 1833 to 1834, its two distinctive minarets forming one of Old Aberdeen’s best-known landmarks. For the University of Aberdeen we removed cement render and pointing, repaired the masonry and reinstated traditional lime harling and limewash.
Before & after
Drag across the image to compare the building before our work and after completion.
BeforeAfter
The challenge
The gate sits in a prominent public location at the heart of the university campus. Full access had to be maintained and disruption to students kept to a minimum throughout the works.
Our solution
Cementitious render and pointing were carefully removed and the masonry repaired before the towers were re-harled in lime. We made the limewash ourselves from Singleton Birch NHL 2, producing a creamy buff colour from the natural minerals in the lime rather than added pigment.
Outcomes
Landmark restored
The minarets were returned to a breathable lime finish appropriate to their age.
Natural colour
A site-made limewash gave a distinctive buff finish without artificial pigments.
Award-winning
Recognised by the Green Apple Awards, the Aberdeen Civic Society and the Aberdeen Society of Architects.
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