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Exterior cornice and modillions in progress at our Wheatland Presbyterian Church project. Cast stone sills, keystones, and entryway brick arches up next. #ecclesiasticalarchitecture #churcharchitecture #traditionalarchitecture

Behold the timeless beauty of the ancient church of St Llywel, Llanlowell, Monmouthshire! Standing for over a millennium, this architectural marvel boasts a rich history that could move even the most stoic observer. In 2016, when the church was deemed redundant, its features spanning from the Norman to Perpendicular periods, including a 12th-century circular font and a magnificent East Window crafted in 1897 by A.L. Moore, stood as testament to its enduring legacy. Our wonderful former partner charity, Friends of Friendless Churches, has taken a record number of redundant churches into care in recent years, but buildings like St Llywel, which is “only listed Grade II” and is very plain inside, can only survive with a new use. But this must be done with understanding and care. A residential scheme recently referred to us subdivided the interior vertically and horizontally to create a single house. Quite apart from the fact that computer-derived drawings are no way to capture the subtlety and archaeological complexity of a building that is, in origin, nearly a thousand years old, there was no Heritage Impact Assessment nor Design and Access Statement, nor indeed any other paperwork showing any understanding of St Llywel as a listed building. The East Window appears to be taken out. It is something, at least, that the exterior will not be altered. Residential conversion may be the only feasible way forward, but how it is done is all-important. #StLlywels #Church #Llanllowell #ChurchArchitecture #Heritage #Planning #Casework #Wales

The Wooden Churches of Maramures There is a strong tradition of building wooden churches across Eastern Europe, from Karelia and northern Russia all the way to the Adriatic, but in terms of both quality and quantity the richest examples are in Maramures. The Wooden Churches of Maramures are unique in shape and ornamentation and eight of them – in Barsana, Budesti, Desesti, Ieud, Plopis, Poienile Izei, Rogoz and Surdesti have been recognized by UNESCO as World Heritage Sites. The characteristic high roofs and tall, narrow, pointed steeples are often collectively described as the Gothic Style of Maramures. The primary wood material used by the artisans was local oak, which has survived the elements with sturdy elegance until today. The interior walls of the churches were painted by local artists, with biblical scenes often juxtaposed against the familiar landscape of the village. Most of these houses of worship have stood proudly since the 17th and 18th centuries – some even longer. The oldest wooden church in Maramures is the Church on the Hill in Ieud, which dates from 1364.

As you wander along your local high street, have you ever looked up and seen an ugly-looking critter staring back at you? I’m talking about Gargoyles and Grotesques—stone carvings of often ugly and monstrous creatures that you can usually spot on the sides of historic buildings, particularly Gothic churches and cathedrals. But what are they for? And is there a difference between the two? Well, gargoyles have a practical purpose - they are designed to draw water away from the building. They have water channels and a spout where rainwater is directed so that it doesn't erode the masonry work. They're essentially an ugly drainpipe. Grotesques are merely decorative and have no known practical function other than to look mean and menacing—a bit like Dave from HR before his morning coffee! Gargoyles date back to Egyptian times, when they used lion-shaped carvings. They became popular in the UK during the medieval period and are commonly found on the sides of religious buildings. No one knows why they have twisted, monstrous shapes with ugly expressions, but some suggest they illustrate evil and sin or ward off spirits from places of worship—again, Dave from HR. They make fantastic treasures for kids to spot, and they’re one of the first things I’ll look for when scouting a new treasure map (I spotted the grotesque above on Exeter's incredible Cathedral) Why not head out at lunch and see if you can find any gargoyles or grotesques along your high street (my advice is to start the at local church if there is one)? Let me know what you find - it could be the beginning of our next Treasure Map Trail!  #placemaking #townplanning #history

Statues stand as timeless tributes to history and heritage, but with age comes the need for #restoration. 🛠️ Our Stone & Restoration team specializes in revitalizing #statues in all states of wear—broken, leaning or weather-worn. Yet, not every restoration is feasible. 🔗 Click the link to learn how we assess a statue's restoration potential. https://hubs.ly/Q02m_8WK0

Modhera Sun Temple: An architectural marvel that dates back to the zenith of Indian architecture. The temple was constructed in 1026CE in such a way that during every equinox, the first sunrays would fall on a diamond placed on the Sun God’s head. The temple was dedicated to the solar deity Surya. The Sabha Mandap stands on 52 pillars that were designed to depict the 52 weeks of the year.  Carvings of the sun, along with its unity of four other elements—air, water, earth, and space—can be spotted along the walls of the temple.  The temple complex has three components: Gūḍhamanḍapa, the shrine hall; Sabhamanḍapa, the assembly hall and Kunḍa, the reservoir. The halls have intricately carved exterior and pillars. The reservoir has steps to reach the bottom and numerous small shrines. ( Sources of above text: Atlas Obscura and Wikipedia) Music: Put the Sun Back by PARISIAN & AVG https://lnkd.in/gBPJwT38

🏛️ If Walls Could Talk 🏛️ Every building holds a story—a whisper of the past echoing through its walls. From the weathered stones of ancient castles to the intricate facades of historic landmarks, each structure is a time capsule, preserving moments of triumph, resilience, and everyday life. Fun Thought: Next time you pass by an old building, pause for a moment. Imagine the lives it’s witnessed, the history it holds, and the legacy it leaves behind. What’s your favorite historic building or place that takes you back in time? Share below! #HistoryInArchitecture #IfWallsCouldTalk #TimelessStories #PreservingThePast #DanDoyle

🏛️ If Walls Could Talk 🏛️ Every building holds a story—a whisper of the past echoing through its walls. From the weathered stones of ancient castles to the intricate facades of historic landmarks, each structure is a time capsule, preserving moments of triumph, resilience, and everyday life. Fun Thought: Next time you pass by an old building, pause for a moment. Imagine the lives it’s witnessed, the history it holds, and the legacy it leaves behind. What’s your favorite historic building or place that takes you back in time? Share below! #HistoryInArchitecture #IfWallsCouldTalk #TimelessStories #PreservingThePast #DanDoyle

Historically, churches have been built in various architectural styles, each reflecting the aesthetic and spiritual values of the time–a testament to the evolution of design, culture, and faith. https://lnkd.in/gmPPqHfZ

Historically, churches have been built in various architectural styles, each reflecting the aesthetic and spiritual values of the time–a testament to the evolution of design, culture, and faith. https://lnkd.in/gfzrJ35F