Conservation
Drawing on decades of experience, a rich library of historical detail drawings, and time-honoured craftsmanship, we offer practical and sensitive solutions to help you repair, rebuild, and conserve the character of your building.
Elizabethan Oriel Window Conservation
One of our favourite projects. This Elizabethan window was so hacked around it was practically unrecognisable. The clues were there underneath, however, and we were able to reorganise the remaining parts and add to them just as they once had been.
With quality conservation work we can do worse than following SPAB guidelines. In this case the process involves cutting away as little of the original fabric as possible and splicing in properly dried but new replacement material where sections are missing.
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Conservation planning sketch to tidy up the messy rear entrance of a Grade 1 mansion near Stevenage
This building has some beautiful aspects. I had to portray a less attractive one which had suffered many additions and amputations during the C19th and C20th; the sketch also incorporating a proposed alteration.
The new concept was designed with Jane Laurie of Julian Swift and through discussion with the local authority. The proposal would be used to provide a better general entrance and for visiting sightseers.
The last pic is of the same aspect as yet unchanged, but from a different angle, being used in a recent BBC series. Some might say leave it as it is
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Handrail and baluster parts reproduced for repair
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Wreathed Staircase restoration - Wimbledon
This Georgian stair was in bad repair with the wreathed string completely collapsed. The handrail is to be repaired and retained.
The reason for this setup is to ascertain the true plan radius of the string wreath. It’s 7” to the tread ends. We have to be able to work imperial and metric in the conservation trade! The handrail wreath is of the laminated variety and as is sometimes the case with laminated parts, will have to be sprung into place as its not quite right.
Over the last few weeks we have stripped all paintwork to see the extent of the damage, and repairs have begun. You can see an image of the reconstructed straight flight.
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Restoration of Regency Gesso Porch Castings
These castings were about 20% extant. In most places we were able to take a casting from the existing and replicate it in resin. This might have been a leaf or a flowerhead, or even a full section. The rosettes, and swags therefore appear original due to using this method. Unfortunately there was practically nothing left of the tails, so we used a straightened section of the swags to serve in their place.
As you can see, a lot of attention was needed in cleaning the original castings without further damage. In the end we had to go even further than is shown here to get a clean casting. Casting shown before final fettling and attachment.
Our contract included the full restoration of door, frame and porch top, including conservation reinstatement of decayed timber mouldings and sections as well as the plaster work.
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