Concrete Artist used for Listed Structure

In several locations, the newly constructed flood wall ties in to Penwortham Old Bridge, a Grade II listed structure and scheduled monument.

This contractor decided to bring in the skills of a concrete artist to create a surface for the flood wall that replicates the aged sandstone of the 266-year-old crossing.

Although it wasn’t a requirement that the new wall matched the appearance of the bridge, they wanted to ensure that the tie-ins did not have an impact on the beauty of such an important piece of historic local infrastructure.

The new flood wall consists of pre-cast concrete wall units and, while the use of these units is incredibly efficient for both the construction and the environmental aspects of our work, they offer a clear contrast in appearance when compared with the historic walls around the work area.

They wanted to preserve the aesthetic and character of the historic monument by providing a buffer-zone of new flood wall that seamlessly blended in with the aged sandstone of the bridge.

The skills of the artist used go beyond traditional construction techniques, replicating the effects of centuries of weathering and ageing, whilst also mimicking the architectural style of the original structure.