Curtain walls and stairs are in

The past three days have been hectic as the screen walls and stairs have been fitted, under the spotlight of the television cameras. The steelworks, windows and stairs have been manufactured off site by Commercial Systems International (CSi) in Hull. Much communication between Hull and Settle has paid off as everything has fitted perfectly. When the huge steel staircase was swung in behind the steel frame in the main doorway opening there was a cry of "One millimeter out!" Altogether a remarkable achievement.


CSi are more used to commercial buildings than small scale restorations like this one. That said they have done the odd Martello Tower and the living pods on top of Lister's Mill in Bradford. Airports rather than water towers are more their thing. Even so, the skill and enthusiasm for this relatively small project have been remarkable - and it is now being rewarded.    Picture 1 shows the south screen wall of the main tower - unglazed for now and ply boarded.




Picture 2 shows the glasss wall to the north end of the annex - partly glazed. The double window toward the top is the kitchen, with floor to ceiling glass.

(Note to Planning Officers who I know follow this Blog - the glazing sections are protected by plastic film so the colours are not necessarily the final ones)










Picture 3 shows the main staircase steels from inside the building. This is the one that had to be a perfect fit as it spans between existing steel beams and the steel of the entrance wall. The grooves alongside the stairs will have heavy glass balustrades. The stair treads and the landing will be inset with stone.   The short flight of stairs down to the ground floor were George Clarke's idea.   George had the privilege of being the first to climb them.










CSi architect Maarten Kleinhout being filmed in the 'Corporate Headquarters Caravan' explaining what is happening. Maarten's personal commitment to this project has been crucial. His boss, architect Stuart Green, had the original vision,  but Maarten and his team are now 'making it happen'.

At various stages yesterday I do believe I saw huge and heavy pieces of glass being lifted by architects Stuart Green and Maarten Kleinhout and TV presenter / architect George Clarke.   Meanwhile the cameras were rolling in case they dropped it!   Happily for us, they didn't but it would have made good television if they had.