A Refurbishment Survey with Historical Significance
By Alec Smith, Managing Director of Artisan Environmental
Recently, Jaime, our Trainee Asbestos Surveyor, and I had the opportunity to conduct a tailored Asbestos Refurbishment Survey for a timber-frame holiday cottage owned by Helen Clarke. This property holds a lot of history, as Helen's mother, Janet Taylor, lived in the chalet during World War II. Janet's father, John Taylor, played a significant role in the Navy, helping to develop one of the first diving bells and conducting deep dives with it. During her childhood, Janet witnessed Flying Princess planes landing on the sea just in front of the chalet—a cherished memory that remains tied to the family’s legacy.
As part of the survey, Jaime, who is currently completing further survey training, worked alongside me as I guided her and conducted an audit. The property, typical of prefab structures from the 1940s, originally featured asbestos cement panels in many areas. While much of this asbestos has since been removed—partly due to a previous fire—some panels remain intact, particularly in the middle hallway of the chalet. Asbestos was often used in prefab buildings of this era. While it was a little earlier than the main period of heavy industrial and commercial use of asbestos in building materials, asbestos cement was cheap and readily available. Asbestos cement panels made the perfect material to quickly construct post war temporary accommodation to provide much needed housing. The cement panels form an instant strong and resilient wall panel that is resistant to moisture and other forces of nature, particularly useful right next to the sea!
It’s always fascinating to see how these buildings, steeped in history, evolve over time while still retaining elements of their past. This survey will help ensure that future renovations are carried out safely, preserving both the structure’s integrity and its rich family legacy.