Cleaning up a historic task
17/06/2010
A Hillington-based company has been garnering plaudits for its hi-tech cleaning work on sensitive historic buildings around Scotland.
LaserClean, based in Edison Street, specialises in the cleaning of new and historic buildings, as well as removal of paint and graffiti and the application of specialist protective coatings and impregnations to building materials.
“We have had lots of positive comment in the press recently,” reports director Sandra Howison. “This mainly stemmed from our success of the cleaning work we are carrying out at Marischal College in Aberdeen, which is to be the new headquarters of Aberdeen City Council.”
The College’s stunning ‘new look’ is being gradually revealed as refurbishment work on the landmark building and its distinctive gargoyles continues.
While McAlpine carries out the construction work on Aberdeen City Council’s new corporate headquarters, LaserClean is steadily restoring the stonework to its former glittering glory. The listed building’s true colour, which has never been seen by many Aberdonians, is being revealed by the cleaning work.
A grit slurry is used to carefully clean the stonework, once again exposing the Cleaning up a historic task sparkling grey granite to the sun – a method approved by Historic Scotland.
About 40% of that cleaning work has now been completed and decorative features which were barely discernable in the grime, including the leopard’s heads which protrude from the Broad Street walls, are now clearly visible.
Marischal College Advisory and Monitoring Board convenor and council leader John Stewart said: “It is hard to believe that what most of us know as an almost black building will be a light grey granite again, sparkling in the sun, reminding locals and visitors why Aberdeen is known as the Granite City.
“Marischal College will look quite spectacular once the work has been completed, not least because of its dramatic change in colour.”
Previous projects undertaken by LaserClean include the refurbishment of the Kelvingrove Art Galleries and Museum (pictured), which is Scotland’s most popular cultural destination.
“LaserClean are pleased to be part of Hillington Park,” says Sandra Howison. “As a regular reader of the Hillington Herald, I believe we are another great example of a successful business based here.”
