Eglise Sainte Irenee is a small church located on a hillside outside of center city Lyon. It is a very significant site in the history of Christianity, and has foundations begun in the 5th or 6th century, but the church itself has suffered over more recent centuries. AEC Lyon recently completed a restoration effort on the tower. They are now beginning a study to identify and prioritize immediate concerns: rainwater leaking into the church interior, causing the plaster ceiling and supporting systems to fail at the side aisles. In the place where the plaster had fallen, pieces were still on the floor. The ceiling assembly is 19h century. The supporting wooden ribs, located about 18 inches on center were extremely light (dry rot?). Red clay ties, approximately 6" x 14" x 1" thick, infilled between the wood ribs, approximately 2" x 6" actual. The wood lath and plaster system held the tiles in place, so the tiles were probably acting as insulation. Ceiling plaster also very light. The interior had been stripped of much of its decoration and with it, much of its soul. Right now, the priority is to make the roof and building envelope shed water again and to stabilize the interior plaster system until there are funds to take on the interior.
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Today we returned to two construction sites (chantiers): Cathedrale Saint Jean and the Palais de Justice Historique Lyon.
At the first, we went to the top of the scaffolding around the northwest tower, 17 levels above the ground, then descended together for lunch to celebrate the completion of this phase of the project. This is a tradition that includes all the trades: scaffolding, masons, roofers, architects, archaeologist, as well as the client and user. In the case, client and user are not exactly the same. All the Cathedrals in France are owned by the country (La Republique de la France), but other components of the historic complex are owned by the city of Lyon, others by the Departement of the Rhone, and others by the Catholic Church. In this instance, the country is fiscally responsible for the facade restoration, and the Church is involved as the user of the building.
At the second site, the historic courthouse, the meeting and site walk-through were more routine and focused on the immediate issues on the jobsite: how to illuminate the entrance at the rear facade, a loggia covered with three round stone domes and an immense glass and iron door with a half-round transom window maybe 9 feet in diameter; what to do at a 2nd floor entranceway where old stone flooring in very poor condition was recently discovered; which security bars are ancient and therefore worthy of preservation in a courthouse courtyard where cocktails may be served in the future.
I will be offline for the next few days, accompanying the preservation architects from AEC Lyon to Italy, where they will be conducting site visits at French properties in Rome.
At the first, we went to the top of the scaffolding around the northwest tower, 17 levels above the ground, then descended together for lunch to celebrate the completion of this phase of the project. This is a tradition that includes all the trades: scaffolding, masons, roofers, architects, archaeologist, as well as the client and user. In the case, client and user are not exactly the same. All the Cathedrals in France are owned by the country (La Republique de la France), but other components of the historic complex are owned by the city of Lyon, others by the Departement of the Rhone, and others by the Catholic Church. In this instance, the country is fiscally responsible for the facade restoration, and the Church is involved as the user of the building.
At the second site, the historic courthouse, the meeting and site walk-through were more routine and focused on the immediate issues on the jobsite: how to illuminate the entrance at the rear facade, a loggia covered with three round stone domes and an immense glass and iron door with a half-round transom window maybe 9 feet in diameter; what to do at a 2nd floor entranceway where old stone flooring in very poor condition was recently discovered; which security bars are ancient and therefore worthy of preservation in a courthouse courtyard where cocktails may be served in the future.
I will be offline for the next few days, accompanying the preservation architects from AEC Lyon to Italy, where they will be conducting site visits at French properties in Rome.
