The giant chainmail box that stops a house dissolving

Summary by Krater

Tom Scott visits the Hill House in Helensburgh, Scotland, to explore the custom-built chainmail box structure designed to protect the deteriorating 1902 building from relentless rain while allowing it to dry out and remain accessible to visitors.

From the video

Answers: Why is there a giant metal box over the Hill House in Scotland?

• Hill House architectural conservation
• Portland cement exterior wear
• Chainmail protective box structure
• Weather protection for historic buildings

What it concludes

• The Hill House exterior was built with Portland cement and no lime, located in one of the wettest parts of Scotland, causing it to dissolve like an aspirin in a glass of water.
• Covering the house completely would risk environmental shock and cause more damage than good, whereas the chainmail box allows the house to breathe while shielding it from 86% of elements.
• Building a protective box preserves the historic architecture while promoting it by allowing the public to see the house from angles never seen before.