Sissinghurst Castle Tower conservation: achieving results in winter in a narrow timeframe

ABSTRACT The Sissinghurst Tower Conservation Project was complex project in terms of project management because it required the coordination of a number of work-streams and disciplines within a very short time opportunity during winter, a season that is usually adverse to building conservation work. The project involved interpretation and exhibitions, moving of historic collections, horticulture and building conservation work. A number of elements of the building required specialist conservation work and investigations. The project required a great deal of critical path analysis and proactive communication. It comprised a comprehensive conservation programme to undertake priority works such as the condition of the stone parapets, weathervanes, timber staircase and brick window mullions. However with the considerable cost of scaffolding other less urgent works were brought forward. A far better archaeological understanding was long overdue and this was also undertaken. The results were of excellent quality, delivered on time and slightly below budget. The project opened up the need to look further at conservation of Vita’s Writing Room, a room on the first floor which houses an important collection. This will need to be a sensitively planned future project balancing the needs of building and collections conservation.