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The Ironwork Studio Bethan Griffiths

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DESIGNERS & CONSERVATION CONSULTANTS FOR ARCHITECTURAL IRONWORK: Clients come to The Ironwork Studio because architectural ironwork is important to their projects, but not their specialist area. We offer independent advice and practical support to help projects move forward with confidence. Providing design, conservation and technical expertise for historical and modern projects from planning and concept to procurement stages. Our specialist knowledge supports informed decision-making, thoughtful design, and clear tender information, embedding craftsmanship throughout. Our aim is simple: to make the ironwork element easier to manage while enhancing design, workmanship and budget control. Working nationally. Brochure available. Contact Bethan Griffiths to find out more.

Lyndhurst Carlton Husthwaite
Thirsk, North Yorkshire United Kingdom
YO7 2BJ

07941127024
info@theironworkstudio.com
www.theironworkstudio.com

Types of Work:
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Image Gallery

Shrewsbury Cathedral - Grade II

An award winning design inspired by traditional style references, this modern interpretation of the pointed quatrefoil with its prominent yet refined form, sympathetically adds to the Cathedral's evolutionary story. It’s symbolic of both Catholic faith and the cathedral's gothic architect, EW Pugin, who used it in abundance within the interior. Made from cast iron and painted cobalt blue in representation of the Virgin Mary, to whom the cathedral is dedicated.

Carnaby Street

This gate uses our modern-day approach to design and is a freeform response to its context. Although first built in 1682, Carnaby Street's iconic heritage was established in the 1960s when it became an icon of Swinging London. Referencing this, our design is inspired by the bold geometric patterns of this era. The busy open framework, with random infills, also helps realise the gate’s dual purpose of security at night and screening the property’s air control vents during the day. Constructed using highly skilled fabrication techniques, it has a clean sophisticated finish without any unsightly welding. Its colouring comes from the use of polished stainless steel with glass inserts, complementing the colour scheme of the rest of the building.

Royal Hospital Chelsea

Working with an outline concept proposal, provided by the architect, we developed a theme, both visually and technically, to give the result artistic flow and a feeling of authenticity.

Barnes Park - Grade II

With no direct historical references to replicate, our replacement gate design is a modern interpretation of a period style as opposed to an accurate historical design. The new design incorporates decorative elements from the original railings which we reconfigured for their new purpose. Our understanding of period style and traditional techniques enabled us to create a design with an authentic feel. Although a non-original feature, the new gates establish a better impression of how the entrance was originally intended to be perceived.

Weston Park - Grade II

Replacement Gates. Informed by historical photographs we designed these new gates to replace the originals which had been stolen. The quality of the archival evidence was high enough to enable the overall design to be accurately replicated, but authentically re-creating the detailing relied on our knowledge of period characteristics and techniques. Following the restoration the entrance is now configured as it was in 1875 when Weston Park was opened to the public.

Burghley House - Grade I

with minimal historical information about these gates our work, based on surveying the physical evidence, helped establish firm links to their origin. The Ironwork Studio provided a condition report including investigative research of physical evidence and restoration recommendations.

Queen Anne Summer House Railings - Grade II

Old ironwork can look deceptively simple by today’s standards as, for example, these modest railings erected around 1713. While core blacksmithing techniques using forge, hammer and anvil are still the same today, it’s important to remember that modern tools and technologies have provided alternative methods that have affected advanced skillsets which were once commonplace. As a result, understanding ancient construction methods requires a completely different mindset to modern work. Our exploded assembly drawings, provide insight for appropriate budgeting and approach to dismantling and restoration works.

Piece Hall Gates - Grade I

Made in 1871 by George Smith & Co these gates comprise highly detailed and ornate cast iron panels within a puddled wrought iron frame. Being made before the twentieth century fashion for black, their original colour scheme would have been polychrome. Unfortunately, paint analysis confirmed that a previous restoration had thoroughly stripped all the original paint. The new colour scheme was therefore compiled using the clients crest as initial inspiration, with its colours referenced to known historic ironwork colour schemes from the same period as the gates’ construction.