A multidisciplinary method for the documentation & propagation of a city's heritage: the industrial structures of Bradford, West Yorkshire

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RESEARCH AIMTo record, interpret and present the globally important industrial heritage of the City of Bradford using 3D digital documentation, thereby also helping to safeguard it from the threat of neglect and decay.CONTEXT & SIGNIFICANCEBradford's industrial heritage is of international significance. During the 19th century the city was the centre of the world's worsted trade and became renowned as Worstedopolis (William Cudworth (1888) Worstedopolis). Recent reports have highlighted the critical significance and state of some of the buildings associated with this heritage and provide examples of regeneration projects that have supported economic and housing growth through mill conversion, along with displaying the key roles that such mills play in place-making (Historic England (2017) Engines of Prosperity: new uses for old mills). Tragically many have been subject to fires in recent years (Telegraph & Argus 28th Dec 2016 reported 103 Mill fires within six years). A permanent record of the internal features of Drummond's Mill, including the 'sophisticated system of laminated elliptical arched timber trusses'(listed building entry)could have been saved, had they been scanned before the devastating fire in January 2016.Four priority mills have been proposed by Bradford Council, and would comprise the main focus of the project, with their setting and context examined in further detail:Conditioning House-Grade II listed -1902;Labelled as 'nationally important and one of its kind in the country'(Historic England concerning planning application). Low Mill-Grade II listed -1780;The first cotton spinning mill in Yorkshire which has lost most of its associated buildings and is under "immediate risk of further rapid deterioration or loss of fabric" (Historic England's Heritage at risk register).Whetley Mills-Grade II listed -1863;Large complex of associated structures, some of which arevacant and in disrepair.Laconia Building-Designated heritage asset-C.1880-1920;Inspectionhasconfirmed unusually good survival of original fixtures, fittings and structural elements andisof regional significance (WYAAS response to planning application).The proposal will expand on extant records held for these buildings. In many cases these records are sparse and currently compriseoflimitedphotographs, plan drawings and descriptions. OBJECTIVES-undertake 3D scanning and photogrammetry to digitally document four major Mill buildings identified as a priority by Historic England and Bradford Council. -produce highly detailed models of the structures of interest as a digital record, prior to remodelling as part of regeneration work and to safeguard against further loss. -collate archival sources associated with these iconic buildings (oral accounts, photographs, newspapers etc) to produce a comprehensive picture of all aspects of life concerning the industrial mills and their heritage within Bradford -a persona of the individual structures and the district of Bradford during the life of the mills.-draw together these building biographies to develop interactive stories for presentation to schools and the wider public. -develop and test an accessible format for delivering to diverse audience, providing an interactive record of this important legacy of Bradford's heritage for generations to come.Collectively this work will dramatically refine the wider understanding of Bradford's heritage and safeguard important information. The proposed PhD is timely since Bradford Council anticipate the start of an HLF Townscape Heritage project tha tis focused on related properties at the 'Top of Town' in Bradford.