Quarr Abbey

STRESS were appointed to repair and strengthen the masonry to the Grade 1 listed building in the Isle of Wight. Our Lady of Quarr was a sanctuary for the French Benedictine community of Solesmes in the early 20th century. The modern Abbey sits side-by-side with 900 year old Cistercian ruins.

Quarr Abbey is a brick built monastery with an original Victorian structure plus later additions constructed between 1907-1914. The Abbey is an impressive, large scale example of 20th Century architecture using brick alone. Monk/Architect Dom Paul Bellot selected cheap Belgian bricks which, despite their rough surface, deliver a vibrant range of colours under the changing light from the carefully designed windows that frame the Abbey.

At the time of building it was suggested that it would not stand the test of time due to the choice of materials and the local labour used to build the structure. However, Quarr Abbey has served the test of time and remains an important historical site on the Isle of Wight.

After more than a century the brick arches and wider structure was in need of restoration. Stress UK’s Heritage Engineering Division were contracted to repair and strengthen the arches in the Abbey and the Crypt. The project required a thorough assessment followed by the delivery of an efficient repair and structural strengthening work. 

Assessment for design and installation

Foundation movement in the main Abbey building caused significant cracking to not only the main arches but also many of the ones in the crypt. The risk of falling pieces of brickwork onto the worshipping monks and congregation was too high. The project needed an extremely light footprint to allow the continued use of the Abbey for prayer and public access.

Solving serious problems with minimal disruption

Repairs and strengthening had to be carried out whilst allowing full access to the church. The height of the arches inside the Abbey reach over 12m which required safely secured, tall mobile towers.

The Stress UK team designed and installed specialist plates and masonry reinforcement to the arches. We finished the project with  brickwork and pointing repairs completed with heritage quality materials.