Positioned at the centre of Hungerford’s High Street, Hungerford Town Hall is a well-known civic building with real local presence. Built in the late 19th century and now Grade II listed, it remains an active part of the town as the meeting place for Hungerford Town Council.
Over time, the building’s stone and brick facade had become heavily discoloured. More than 150 years of dirt, moss and algae had built up across the surface, masking the original materials and potentially trapping moisture against the stone, increasing the risk of long-term damage.
Built in 1870 from Bath stone, Hungerford Town Hall is situated along the main high street of the historic Berkshire market town.
Image credit: Town & Manor of Hungerford.
See Brilliance was brought in to carry out a full stone facade restoration using DOFF Steam Cleaning, with the brief to restore the building’s appearance while protecting its historic fabric.
The Challenge: 150 years of facade contamination
The condition of the Town Hall reflected a long period without intervention. Organic growth had taken hold across sections of the stonework, while layers of dirt and pollution had settled into the surface over decades.
This type of contamination does more than affect appearance. Moss and algae retain moisture, particularly in porous facades like stone, while pollution can harden into the surface over time. Together, these factors can accelerate surface wear and gradually compromise the integrity of the facade.
The restoration needed to remove these contaminants thoroughly, without introducing further risk to the building. Given the listed status and the age of the materials, that ruled out more aggressive cleaning methods like pressure washing or chemical cleaning that could damage the stone facade.
Why DOFF Steam Cleaning?
For this project, DOFF Steam Cleaning was the best option due to its ability to remove years of built-up dirt, biological growth and pollution without damaging the Bath stone.
The DOFF system uses superheated water at high temperature but low pressure, allowing contaminants to be broken down and lifted away without damaging the surface beneath. This is particularly important on older buildings where mortar joints and softer stone elements can be easily eroded by conventional pressure washing.
DOFF is also highly effective on biological growth. The heat eliminates spores at source, which means algae and moss take longer to return, reducing the need for repeat cleaning while supporting longer-term maintenance planning.
The DOFF system aligns with conservation principles too, using the least aggressive technique necessary to achieve the result while avoiding chemicals and preserving the building fabric.
Working on a busy high street
The setting introduced a common challenge for See Brilliance operatives. Hungerford Town Hall sits directly on a busy high street, so the project had to be delivered in full view of the public and alongside day-to-day activity and passing traffic in the town.
Access was managed using a truck-mounted system, with the working area carefully controlled through barriers and temporary closures. Road and footpath restrictions were required at certain stages, all coordinated with the local authority. The team also had to work around local schedules, including market day, when works were not permitted.
Because of the building’s listed status, approvals were required before work could begin, and the approach needed to meet conservation expectations. Coordination with the council ensured that both operational and heritage requirements were met without delaying the programme.
The DOFF restoration process
Following a site survey, the cleaning approach was determined based on the type of stone facade (primarily Bath stone) and the contamination present.
The DOFF system was applied methodically across the stone and brickwork using a handheld lance. Superheated steam was directed onto the surface, loosening dirt, algae and ingrained pollutants before they were removed. The process relies on temperature rather than force, which allowed the team to work across delicate areas without damaging the substrate.
Some sections required more attention than others, particularly where organic growth had taken hold more deeply. Maintaining consistency across the facade was key, ensuring that the final result looked even while still respecting the natural variation in the original materials.
The Result: Bringing the stone facade back to life
Once restoration was complete, the difference was immediate. The underlying stone and brickwork, largely hidden for decades, became visible again. Colour variation returned, architectural details sharpened, and the building regained its presence on the high street.
The impact was not limited to the building itself. Feedback from the local community was notably positive, with many commenting on the transformation and renewed prominence of their Town Hall.
Improving facade longevity and performance
Beyond visual improvements, this facade restoration project has practical benefits for the building’s long-term condition:
- By removing biological growth and embedded contaminants, the facade is less likely to retain moisture, which helps reduce the risk of ongoing deterioration.
- Because DOFF eliminates spores rather than just surface growth, regrowth is slower, meaning less frequent intervention is required.
This kind of restorative cleaning supports a more proactive maintenance approach, helping to extend the life of the stone facade and avoid more invasive work in the future.
A wider case for DOFF restoration
Projects like Hungerford Town Hall reinforce a broader shift in how building exteriors are managed.
Restorative cleaning using techniques like DOFF offers a way to recover appearance and performance without replacing materials. In most cases, DOFF Steam Cleaning can be delivered at a fraction of the cost of replacement while preserving the original structure. It also avoids the carbon impact associated with removing and rebuilding facade systems, which is becoming an increasingly important consideration across the built environment.
For listed buildings in particular, where replacement is rarely an option, the value of this approach is even clearer:
- Significantly more cost-effective than replacement (if replacement is even an option)
- Less disruptive to building use and surrounding areas
- Notable reduction in carbon impact
DOFF Steam Cleaning project summary
Building: Hungerford Town Hall
Location: Hungerford High Street, Berkshire
Status: Grade II listed
Facade type: Stone and brick
Issue: 150+ years of dirt, algae and moss
Solution: DOFF Steam Cleaning
Key challenges:
- Busy high street location
- Traffic and pedestrian management
- Working hour restrictions
- Heritage compliance
Outcome:
- Full stone facade restoration
- Strong positive community response
- Improved longevity and reduced maintenance needs
Nick Down, Director at See Brilliance, said:
“This was a rewarding project to be part of. Hungerford Town Hall is an important building locally, so there was a real responsibility to get it right.
“DOFF Steam Cleaning gave us the control we needed to remove years of contamination without affecting the stonework. The change in appearance is significant, but just as important is what’s happening beneath the surface. By removing organic growth and pollutants properly, we’ve helped protect the facade and improve its long-term performance.
“It’s great to see the reaction from the community as well. Restoring buildings like this has a wider impact, and we’re pleased to have played a role in bringing it back to its best.”
Considering DOFF Steam Cleaning for your building?
DOFF Steam Cleaning is widely used across heritage and commercial properties where a careful, effective approach is required. It removes contamination without damaging surfaces, supports longer maintenance cycles, and helps protect the building fabric over time.
See Brilliance has over 30 years of experience delivering facade restoration projects across the UK. For more information or to arrange a site survey, contact us today.
Learn more about DOFF Steam Cleaning
- Discover what DOFF Steam Cleaning is and how it works.
- Learn how See Brilliance uses the DOFF Steam Cleaning system for the safe restoration of historic building facades and monuments.
- Read the story of how See Brilliance restored a Grade II listed hotel using DOFF Steam Cleaning.
- Find out how DOFF Steam Cleaning is revolutionising facade restoration and providing long-lasting results for commercial building owners.