The restoration of Charles Rennie Mackintosh's Hill House in Helensburgh, Argyll and Bute, has reached a 'critical juncture' as workers begin removing the cement render that contributed to decades of water damage. A giant steel box, completed in 2019, has protected the building from the elements, allowing the walls to dry out sufficiently for the render to be chipped off.
The Hill House, built in 1904 for publisher Walter Blackie, has suffered from water penetration since a Portland cement render was applied under Mackintosh's instruction. Initially thought to be a wonder product, the render failed to protect the structure, leading to damage to both the building and its bespoke interior decoration.
Phil Long, chief executive of the National Trust for Scotland (NTS), which cares for the property, said: 'It's difficult to overstate the international importance of Mackintosh and Macdonald and of the Hill House, and so delivering this project is of vital importance in preserving Scotland's and the world's design heritage.'
The NTS will work with specialists to develop a replacement render that can 'breathe', preventing moisture from being trapped. The work is part of the Mackintosh Illuminated project, supported by £1.1 million from the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
Liz Davidson, NTS project director, said: 'By 2028, on the 160th anniversary of Mackintosh's birth, the Hill House should no longer need its protective box.' The project also includes internal conservation work and community engagement.
