Issue 48 AUG 25 web - Flipbook - Page 74
using a guillotine and metal bender, shaped with care to
maintain consistent diameter and wall thickness throughout. Where necessary, hand-formed decorative details and
period-accurate collars were added to match the historical
aesthetic.
All welded joints were completed using precise heat
control and traditional lead-burning techniques, ensuring
a strong watertight seal and a clean finish. Once fully
formed, the pipes were treated and finished to visually
harmonise with the patina and character of the existing
architectural features at Wakehurst House.
The final result was a seamless integration of new craftsmanship into a historic environment—fully functional,
durable, and faithful to the original design intent.
Completion of works
We couldn't be more grateful to our team for their
incredible hard work and dedication throughout this project. At the time we received confirmation to proceed, we
were already inundated with existing commitments.
However, after a team discussion, we unanimously agreed
that this was an opportunity we simply couldn't pass up.
With that decision made, we devised a plan to honour
our pre-scheduled site work during the day, and dedicate
our evenings to the restoration. For five consecutive
weeks, our team worked tirelessly in the Lead It Be
workshop from 7pm until 11pm—often pushing later into
the night. There were several 1am finishes, and even one
remarkable 3am session to ensure we met the tight
deadlines required for this project.
It was a true team effort, driven by passion, craftsmanship,
and pride in our work.
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Conservation & Heritage Journal
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