At Trecallen, Luke Doddington specialises in the construction, restoration and repair of buildings made with traditional materials. With an emphasis on Lime, Luke specialises in Rendering, Plastering, Repointing as well as Drystone Walling and Cob repair. He draws upon his training in heritage Craft Skills to offer his clients a sustainable and more environmentally conscious way of building.
Lime Plastering
Traditional Lime-works are one example of how a natural building material can not only be ecologically sustainable but can also help to create a healthy home environment. When walls are plastered with ‘breathable’ lime, they cure, allowing moisture to escape, this reduces the chances of damp and mould.
An old stone cottage in Warminster. The material used for the scratch coat on this build was hemp and lime, which added an extra layer of insulation to the cottage walls.
Not only is lime a fantastic conservation material, but it creates a healthy and warm home.
Lime Pointing
During the warmer months lime pointing and repair work are carried out.
A local Artist’s studio in Mere. The ground had been dug away many years ago revealing the original foundations. Luke rebuilt and repaired the external wall with a lime mortar, returning it to a sound state.
Rebuild and Repair
A house in Mere. The original internal wall had been rendered with cement. This non breathable mortar had caused a build up of moisture which in turn created a damp patch. Luke knocked the cement render off and re-plastered the wall with lime.
This investigation also led to the discovery of unsound wall which Luke repaired, repointed and installed a new oak lintel.
Drystone Wall Repair
With training in a variety of different drystone walling techniques, Luke carries out a number of repairs and rebuilds across Wiltshire, Dorset and Somerset.
A residential home in Wiltshire. This client was keen to create a living wall, with a nod to the Cornish style of walling. Luke rebuilt the wall incorporating some unusual and unique features; a cast iron fire grate, locally found fossils and a variety of ferns and plant life.
