| Abstract: |
In accordance with the aforementioned Historic England guidance, the survey
comprises a Level 3 ‘analytical’ record of the Buildings. Historic England defines a
Level 3 record as an:
‘analytical record and will comprise an introductory description followed by a
systematic account of the building’s origins, development and use…..it will also
include all the drawn and photographic records that may be required to illustrate
the building’s appearance and structure and to support the historical analysis. The
information obtained will be from the most part from examination of the building
itself.’
As per the above guidance, the drawn record includes:
• A site and location plan.
• Annotated sketch plans of the Buildings based on roof plans and basic lease
plans provided by the owners, these may include details where known of
development phasing, key fabric and features, and photographic location
points; and
• Any other drawn or annotated illustrations to assist in understanding the Site
The photographic record includes:
• General views of the Buildings in their wider setting.
• The Buildings’ external appearances where possible to be photographed;
and
• The overall appearance of interior structures, rooms and circulation spaces,
with specific images highlighting structural features and fabric
All record photographs were taken using a Digital Single Lens Reflex (DSLR)
camera with a sensor of a minimum of 20 megapixels. A compact digital camera
may be used for more general shots and working shots or where it is required to
lighting issues.
Images will be saved in RAW or TIFF format. At the current time TIFF formatting is
regarded as the best format for archiving although advice will be taken from the
archive depository (see below) prior to completion of the project. Some files may be
converted to .jpeg format for use in the report, but original RAW or TIFF versions
will be maintained in the project archive. Appropriate levels of Metadata will be
maintained and included in the digital archive following the approach set out in the
Historic England guidance.
The written account includes:
• the location of the Buildings;
• their designation, if any;
• the date and circumstances of the record and name of recorder;
• an account of the Buildings’ form, function, date, and development
sequence, this includes historic cartography, and the names of architects,
builders, patrons and owners will be given, where known; and
• building on the above, a summary of the Buildings’ form, fabric, features.
functions and phases of development
The Level 3 survey was undertaken by Sacha Hunter, Historic Buildings Consultant
(MA, MSc), on 5 January 2021. In November 2020 Cotswold Archaeology was commsioned to undertake a Level 3 Building
Recording of the buildings known as The Lampworks in Great Hampton Street and Barr
Street, Birmingham.
The Site is a complex conglomeration of buildings and courtyard spaces which have been
developed, heavily and invasively altered, subdivided and infilled over time. The original
iterations of the site comprised of a series of street frontage buildings of mixed 19th century
age with linear workshop ranges and linear yards to their rear, sandwiched between Great
Hampton Street and Barr Street on the outskirts of Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter. The
majority of the buildings on the site were taken over in 1912 by the Frederick Restall Ltd
furniture company; over the first half of the 20th century this company demolished a series of
courtyard ranges to construct the four main warehouse/factory buildings seen today, whilst
also converting and assimilating other buildings and yards into ad hoc manufacturing and
storage spaces. |
