Over 100 tons of Burlington’s Westmorland Green roofing slate has been used to re-roof the three wings of the Old Admiralty building, one of the Capital’s most prestigious landmarks and home to various departments within the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

As with any refurbishment project of this caliber, and with guidance from English Heritage, the brief for the architects was to remain true to the original materials used on the roof. To this end, Architects ttsp chose Burlington’s Westmorland Green roofing slate for its quality and color. Burlington’s subtle green slate was the perfect choice to help refurbish the Old Admiralty building’s dignified exterior, as its durable properties can withstand the very harshest weather conditions, while still maintaining its aesthetic appeal, according to the company.

With the help of main contractors, Laing Ltd., and roofing contractors, Apollo London Ltd., ttsp have brought this classic building firmly into the 21st century. The roof has been stripped back to its original concrete substrate and rebuilt to the highest specification, including high-tech insulation to meet the contemporary roofing regulations.

The detailing involved in the design of the roof was extremely complex, with many dormers and junctions featured on all three wings of the building. "Burlington’s Westmorland Green roofing slate was the right choice because it was an authentic English slate to match what was originally on the building," stated Pauline Fowler, ttsp’s project architect for the Old Admiralty building. "We knew it would work with the very complex roof details needed to rebuild the roof as it was first constructed, but updated by the use of insulation."

Designed by Leeming and Leeming of Halifax in 1888, and completed in 1905, the Old Admiralty building is a vast neo-classical structure uniting French Grand Siecle and English baroque architectural detailing. With refurbishment to restore it to its former glory completed in the spring of 2001, it is hoped that this prestigious landmark and Burlington’s Westmorland Green roofing slate will be revered for many years to come, according to Burlington.