Case Study - National Motorcycle Museum

Shortlisted for Clay Roofing Tile Awards - Best Commercial Refurbishment

Clay Roof Tile Manufacturer:              
Dreadnought Tiles Smoothfaced tiles in a mix of 80% Brown Brindle 20% Brown Antique, Arris Hips, Valleys, Mono Ridges,  Pyramid Capping
Structural Engineers:
Smiths Consulting Structural Engineers Ltd
Roofing Contractor:
Roof Coverings (Midlands) Ltd

 

 

Background

Disaster struck the National Motorcycle Museum on the 16th September 2003 when a carelessly discarded cigarette caused a fire destroying 80% of the buildings, despite the effort of 120 firemen.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Challenge

It became apparent during the task of reconstruction that the tile factory which had provided the original Rosemary tiles no longer existed.  It was therefore necessary to find a manufacturer still able to produce Staffordshire tiles of natural burnt clay colours, quickly and in large quantities.  Dreadnought were invited to provide samples and immediately supplied various sample tiles for consideration.

Tiling of the 5 pyramids provided a complex challenge in order to maintain the continuity of the colour blend to match the original part of the roof. 

 

Solution

The modern buildings illustrate how traditional materials such as this blend of Staffordshire Plain tiles colours could be used to dramatic effect on a series of steep, linked pyramid steel framed roofs.

 

 

 

 

Result

The point where the new roof meets the 19 year old roof, though visible, illustrates what a remarkable match has been achieved with a tile from a different manufacturer from the original. Furthermore continuity of the colour blend to match the original part of the roof had to be maintained whilst fixing over a quarter of a million tiles.

The museum's activities were "back on the road" in the minimum amount of time.