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News Release from: Glanville Consultants | Subject: Laser technology
Edited by the Buildingtalk Editorial
Team on 12 July 2007
Laser technology helps reunite monarchy
Glanville Consultants provided highly accurate laser scanning of the internal rooms when Waddesdon Manor acquired a monumental state portrait of Louis XVI of France in his coronation robes.
Staff at Waddesdon Manor in Buckinghamshire have routinely employed Glanville Consultants to undertake surveying work in advance of any development or addition to the grounds and facilities This has generally involved the surveying of buildings and gardens; however, highly accurate laser scanning of the internal rooms became necessary when the Manor acquired a monumental state portrait of Louis XVI of France in his coronation robes, by Antoine-Francois Callet in a spectacular frame by Francois-Charles Buteux
This article was originally published on Buildingtalk on 13 Jun 2008 at 8.00am (UK)
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Waddesdon Manor was built (1874-1889) by Baron Ferdinand de Rothschild, in the style of a 16th-century French chateau, to display his outstanding collection of art treasures and to entertain the fashionable world.
Bequeathed to the National Trust in 1957, it is celebrating its 50th anniversary year this season.
To mark the acquisition of the royal portrait, the Manor has also mounted an exhibition, "In the footsteps of Louis XVI and Marie-Antoinette, which includes objects made for or relating to the King and Queen.
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The displays examine the wedding and early married life of the King and Queen, their family, their personal taste and the events leading up to their executions in 1793 at the height of the French Revolution.
The Louis XVI portrait is a very rare example in Britain of a pre-Revolutionary image of a French monarch that still retains its original frame.
It is one of a series of portraits of Louis XVI that had been given as gifts from the King for diplomatic use.
This portrait was provided for an ambassador, Comte d'Adhemar, who was sent to England in 1783.
The acquisition of the portrait created a number of challenges for the team at the Manor.
As Head of Property Services, Les Duff, explains "the portrait is very large and heavy - the frame weighs 140 Kg (equivalent to 2 adult men) and measures 2.8 m by 4.0 m, so it was essential that we should carefully select a suitable location prior to its arrival.
As part of the company's surveying services Glanville Consultants provide laser scanning and rectified photography, which is able to create highly accurate three-dimensional data and in consultation with our architects, Inskip and Jenkins, and with the help of a full-scale photographic mock-up, we were able to evaluate several potential sites for the portrait before a decision was made use the White Drawing Room".
Glanville uses the latest laser technology, reflectorless equipment and satellite GPS to acquire survey data automatically, enabling surveyors to tackle anything from miles of highway survey to intricate elevations of listed buildings.
This data is processed with specialist software to provide accurate and high quality survey drawings.
Les Duff places a high value on detailed knowledge of Waddesdon Manor and its history; architects Inskip and Jenkins have been involved with Waddesdon since the 1970's and the company's Mehmet Berker has been personally involved since 1988.
Similarly, Glanville's Chris Edge has been responsible for surveying work at Waddesdon for 7 years.
Architect Mehmet Berker and Glanville's Chris Edge also place great emphasis on the value of long-standing working relationships; the two companies have worked together on a number of historical sites including Castle Drogo in Devon and St John's College Oxford.
At Waddesdon Manor, most of the buildings and gardens have been surveyed because, as Duff explains "The entire site, amounting to some 147 acres is of great historical significance, including Grade 1 Listed Buildings within Grade 1 Registered Landscapes.
Consequently, it is necessary for us to provide detailed plans for any alterations, improvements or new features.
Glanville has therefore conducted a complete digital survey of the grounds and this has recently been utilised in the redesign for the Frog Fountain and in the restoration of the grottos, water gardens and waterfalls.
A Glanville survey was also undertaken prior to the creation of a new woodland playground in order to ensure the protection of badger sets".
In summary, whilst detailed knowledge of the site, combined with years of experience have contributed to the successful installation of a national treasure at Waddesdon, it was the latest surveying technology that ensured a safe and problem free procedure.
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