Spotlight on Heritage Services Manager Nigel at Wienerberger

In the latest in their ‘A Day in the Life’ articles, Wienerberger have provided an insight into its Heritage Services Manager, Nigel Dyer…

Nigel Dyer

He says the Heritage Service at Wienerberger is a specialist conservation and restoration service, creating bespoke, handmade roof tiles and fittings.

His role as Heritage Services Manager sees him help manage these projects, observing how impressive buildings are restored to their past glories.

“As everything we produce is bespoke, each project I work on is completely new, different and exciting,” he said.

He added that heritage roofing is key to a heritage build and that they supply appropriate clay roof tiles, courtesy of its Keymer brand, which will have the correct profile, colour and texture to ensure the age and style of a building is maintained, as plus it’s surrounding environment.

He says bespoke products are extremely important for heritage projects and that architects often come to them in search of a tile specifically for a listed building which may no longer be manufactured.

When they receive a request of this nature, the process can often involve taking an original sample and reverse engineering it, to create an effective replica. 

He said a heritage roofing job often starts with an enquiry from an architect, either through our website, a phone call or by recommendation of a client.

Trade shows are also important part for attracting work, as it supplies the chance to discuss projects with architects and potential clients, and inform them about the services.

A recent project they worked on was adapting a traditional 1950s building and add a contemporary extension.

The renovation had to create a usable space, add bespoke features and complement the existing architecture. On top of this, the colour of the new tiles had to be suitable for the existing palette of materials of Cotswold stone walls and concrete tiled roof.

To meet these criteria, Wienerberger’s Heritage Service was chosen to design and create bespoke, handmade roof tiles for the project, evoking the arts and crafts heritage of the area.

He adds the projects are extremely hands on, with the service going beyond just creating the product and delivering it. A skilled roofer is needed for installing bespoke tiles and this can be a challenge. 

This is resolved by offering expert advice to roofers during the process, plus attending the site to provide hands-on guidance.

The Heritage Services Team goes above and beyond to guarantee the tile is fitted properly and that the finish is of a high standard.

He referred to the growing trend in heritage roofing, in which architects are looking to use bespoke roof tiles on contemporary buildings. This includes social housing, where a focus on aesthetic rather than just cost is emerging.

Alongside this, modern buildings tend to look extremely similar and architects often want individuality. Many people like the ways old architecture looks, and wish to replicate this on new projects by using homemade tiles. 

Nigel concluded: “We have a brilliant and dedicated Heritage Services team at Wienerberger.

“Come to us and the world is your oyster; if an architect has the design, we have the capabilities. Architects are more ambitious than ever, and with some of the best architects in the world based in the UK, we want to help make their creative and industry-leading ideas come to life.”

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