Descriptive Buildings Record (Level 2) at Humyak House, 13-15 Duke Street, Liverpool, L1 5AP, United Kingdom

Historic England's 'Understanding Historic Buildings: A Guide to Good Recording Practice' defines a Level 2 recording as a descriptive record that is: "made in similar circumstances to Level 1 but when more information is needed. It may be made of a building which is judged not to require a more detailed record, or it may serve to gather data for a wider project. Both the exterior and interior of the building will be seen, described and photographed. The examination of the building will produce an analysis of its development and use and the record will include the conclusions reached, but it will not discuss in detail the evidence on which this analysis is based. A plan and sometimes other drawings may be made but the drawn record will normally not be comprehensive and may be tailored to the scope of a wider project." A written account of the buildings historical significance including an analysis of its historical development and use, details of its construction, along with supporting measured plans (1:100), elevations (1:100), and a site location (1:200) is provided. The photographic record is complemented with site location plans indicating the position and orientation of any photos which form part of the report. Canon EOS 800D DSLR Camera with an 18-megapixel APS-C-Size Sensor and the location and viewpoint of all images is noted on the aforementioned plans and elevations. The photographic record will capture the current condition of the building both internal and external which will be complemented by a descriptive record of the building's fabric both internal and external. This includes both general views of the building as well as detail focused shots of specific architectural details of significance. Any evidence of changes to the building as well as any features of archaeological or architectural interest will be clearly noted. 13-15 Duke Street is a good example of a late 19th century fireproof warehouse. The building retains its original layout although there is some evidence of changes to the building, with the most significant being the insertion of the lift shaft, new stairwell and the mezzanine to the ground floor. The warehouse use is evidenced by the remaining machinery, including pulleys and winding machinery which has been relocated to the basement. The fireproof planform is still intact and is demonstrated through the inward opening internal iron doors, cast iron columns and the separate staircases. The fireproof planform can be seen to stem from a number of Building Acts introduced in the early to mid 19th Century which stipulated the use of structural features in warehouse design. These features would make warehouses less likely to collapse in the event of fire. The external elevations show very little evidence of change aside from the insertion of new windows and doors to the front and side elevation. The location of 1314 Duke Street, close to the docks and to a number of prestigious buildings helps to illustrate Liverpool's development during the 19th century and the increasing importance of warehouses to its identity as a maritime mercantile city. The fireproof features highlight the developments in warehouse design and construction during the nineteenth century. It has not been possible to discern what the warehouse was used to store exactly, although it is noted as being occupied by a storekeepers in the 1900 Gore's Directory.