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Apothecaries Hall Courtyard
Reinstatement Works
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Within the quiet enclosure of an internal courtyard, the architecture revealed itself not through grandeur, but through refinement. Stucco walls rose in measured planes, articulated by moulded window surrounds, string courses, and cornices that caught the light in subtle shifts of shadow. It was a space designed to be seen up close, a private elevation rather than a public façade.
Time, however, had left its mark. Modern repairs had introduced hard cement renders that trapped moisture and strained the original structure, while underlying brickwork showed signs of stress.
Client
Worshipful Society of Apothecaries Hall
Dates
2019
—
2020
Location
London
Grade listing
Grade I
Fabric
Stucco
Building Access Without Disturbance
Before conservation could begin, a self-supporting scaffolding system was erected across the courtyard. Designed to avoid imposing loads on the historic fabric, it allowed full access to the elevations while leaving the building itself largely untouched.
Careful planning governed every stage of the project. Noise, deliveries, and working patterns were managed so that scheduled events within the building could continue without interruption.
Removing What Did Not Belong
The first major intervention involved the removal of modern cementitious render from all flat surfaces. Though once intended as protection, it had proved incompatible with the original construction, preventing the walls from breathing and accelerating deterioration beneath.
In its place, a hydraulic lime render was applied, softer, permeable, and more sympathetic to the historic materials. This new skin allowed moisture to dissipate naturally, restoring the building’s ability to regulate itself.
Strengthening the Structure Behind the Surface
As the render was stripped away, weaknesses in the backing brickwork became apparent. Substantial structural repairs were undertaken, including reinforcement using Heli-bar systems and the installation of stainless steel expanded metal lath to stabilise compromised areas.
These hidden measures ensured that the renewed finishes would rest upon sound foundations rather than fragile masonry.
Restoring Detail and Colour
With the structure secured, attention returned to the visible elements. Sash windows were repaired and redecorated, their frames once again aligned with the surrounding mouldings. The stucco surfaces were finished using a Beeck mineral paint system, chosen for its durability and compatibility with lime-based materials, allowing colour to permeate the surface rather than forming an impermeable film.
String courses, cornices, and window surrounds regained their crisp definition, re-establishing the architectural rhythm of the courtyard.
Renewal Within
The works extended inside as well. Joinery was reinstated, internal plasterboard replaced, and walls replastered and redecorated, restoring the interior spaces that connected to the courtyard elevations.
The courtyard emerged calm and coherent once scaffolding fell, its familiar character renewed with stronger structure, breathable finishes, and careful repairs. DBR London’s thoughtful, sensitive work restored its quiet health, allowing this refined inner space to endure, shaped by centuries of use.
