Project Name: Hugh Mason House, Ashton-Under-Lyne, Manchester, Grade II*

Type of Project: Historic Appraisal of the Building, Condition Assessment and Schedules of Repair, Tendering and Contract Administration, Contract and Construction Administration

Date: April 2005-May 2007

Architect: Heritage Architecture Ltd

Planner: Appleyard and Trew

Special Interest: Hugh Mason House is a Grade II* listed former public swimming baths, designed by Paull and Robinson (1870) in the Italian Romanesque style. The building is an early example of a municipal swimming baths, erected on behalf of Mr Hugh Mason, of Oxford Mills, for his workers. The Ashton Town Centre Conservation Area contains numerous reminders of Ashton’s industrial past including medieval, Georgian and Victorian elements in its buildings and layout, which together form a place of special interest. Hugh Mason House is a particularly noteworthy contributor to the character of the Conservation Area, with its prominent chimney dominating Henry Square.

Scope of Professional Services:
Heritage Architecture Ltd were commissioned to undertake the following:

• HISTORIC APPRAISAL OF THE BUILDING: An appraisal of the history and development of Hugh Mason House was undertaken by Heritage Architecture Ltd to inform the preparation of morphological plans to inform future change.

• CONDITION ASSESSMENT AND SCHEDULES OF REPAIR: A survey of the architectural condition of Hugh Mason House and a schedule of repair works were prepared by Heritage Architecture Ltd to inform repair options.

• TENDERING AND CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION: Heritage Architecture Ltd prepared conservation specifications for the repair works and provided advice regarding specialists and craftsmen including the need for further on site investigations, drawings and details. 

• CONTRACT/CONSTRUCTION ADMINISTRATION: The administration of the terms of building contract, inspecting materials and workmanship; and progress review to ensure the stabilisation of the exterior envelope, were undertaken as part of the commission awarded to Heritage Architecture Ltd.