Introduction

In 2022 a survey was conducted on a few whaling stations to understand the full extent of degradation.  Many of the buildings were failing, succumbing to the difficult environment in which they sit. With so many of these buildings holding fascinating historical value right to the core of their fabric, the conclusion of this was that if the Manager’s Villa was not stabilised, we faced losing the building entirely.

SGHT proposed the ambitious project to stabilise the Manager’s Villa. It is not only a tangible link to the Endurance crew’s connection to South Georgia, but to a fascinating history of whaling station inhabitation and decline of the whaling industry.

Throughout you will notice that we use the word stabilisation, not restoration. The key difference between the two is that restoration is rooted in the past, whereas stabilisation is situated in the present. Restoration aims to take something back to its original essence; it often favours aesthetics. This can pose some difficult questions, namely when a building has been used for such a long time, how much would you strip back? Which era would this be situated in?

This was why the decision was made to stabilise the building. This ideology involves minimal intervention, its aim is to use traditional methods and materials, where possible, to ensure that the structure remains sound for many years to come. In adopting this method, you also protect different elements of the buildings history that is layered throughout. Such as the layers of wallpaper from different periods, the retention of later additions to the building (such as the bathroom dormer window), and the scullery from the mid-20^th century.

This could look good as a little visual timeline with simple illustrative icons…

1961		Stromness is abandoned, leaving the Villa exposed to weather, decay, and decades without maintenance.
June 2025		The Saving Shackleton Heritage campaign is launched to support stabilisation of the Manager’s Villa and secure its future as a significant Shackleton site.
2 November 2025		Public reporting confirms that stabilisation work on the Villa is under way, backed by major fundraising and an international conservation effort.
3 March 2026		The team announces that work stabilising the Stromness Manager’s Villa has been completed, marking a major milestone in the project.
Present day		With the Villa secured, detailed recording, including LiDAR, photogrammetry, and photography, supports the creation of a digital twin that will make the building accessible to audiences worldwide.