 |
| |
In 1996 Dick Murdoch finally stepped back from an active role within the lead industry. During his time as senior Technical Officer with the Lead Development Association and then the Lead Sheet Association and latterly in a consultancy role to the Lead Contractors Association, Dick had for many years been the industry’s most vigorous campaigner for quality standards in leadwork design and application. “Mr Lead” literally wrote the book – in this case the Lead Sheet Manuals – the three comprehensive Volumes which form the ultimate consultancy documents in determining how lead sheet roofing applications should be designed and fitted. Dick also orchestrated the LCA’s Annual Technical Seminar and used the occasion to continually harangue LCA members over their responsibilities to their client and their craft. He visually demonstrated the pitfalls to avoid and the disastrous effects of getting it wrong, as well as proudly showing off examples of work that he considered fitted the status of being an LCA member. Such was his contribution to the modern day recognition of the leadwork craft, upon his retirement the Lead Contractors Association set up, in his honour, the Murdoch Award. The Murdoch Award is presented in recognition of technical excellence in leadwork, as demonstrated by an LCA member by way of a particularly prominent or complex project. Drawn from a short list of recommendations, the project is subjected to a vigorous on-site inspection and every aspect of the design and installation scrutinised by Dick himself, before the award is confirmed. In being honoured with the
Murdoch Award, a specialist leadwork contractor receives the ultimate
accolade for his craft. The achievement cannot be overstated, because
the triumph is in the face of fierce competition from LCA members across
the country, each believing their own project is worthy of the honour.
The Winner of the 2006 Murdoch Award.
Mr White confessed to being “absolutely flabbergasted – really speechless, having finally won this award after ten years of trying”. He paid a full and glowing tribute to the team from John Fulton (Plumbers) for their work on Cloncaird Castle, a privately owned residence, listed as a Category A Building by Historic Scotland and was delighted to see their efforts rewarded in such spectacular fashion. Under the supervision of Architect Tom Waddell of Thomas Design Architects, the project initially consisted of extensive leadwork to the gutters, flashings and coverings to new dormers in the stable block of the Castle. Mr White recalls that whilst this work was under way, they were then approached to look at a proposal to cover an existing courtyard with a glass roof to form a modern atrium that would be used for entertaining. The further combination of flat roof area and gutters proved to be a significant challenge in interfacing traditional leadwork installation techniques with a modern roof design in glass. The renewing of the flashings and weatherings required particular attention to detail because of the condition of the existing stonework and meant the apron flashing at the head of the slated roof had to be turned over the apex of the continuous copper clip. This detail was used throughout the project that involved more than 20 tonnes of lead sheet in Codes 6 and 8. Graham Hudson, Managing Director of Associated Lead Mills who support and sponsor the Murdoch Award was delighted with the judging panel’s choice. “I think once more the judges have come up trumps in choosing an unusual combination of lead sheet in a modern application that undoubtedly shows the versatility of this fantastic material at its very best”. Previous Winners:
Picture Removed
|
|
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)