Recent projects

NORTH FINCHLEY LIDO & LEISURE CENTRE, N12

Building on a good relationship established on previous successful projects, Guild were appointed as the Main Contractor by Barnet Council to deliver the structural repair & restoration works to the centre which had been closed to the public for some time due to structural failures to the glulam beams which formed the roof. It was discovered that many of the supporting steel columns and beams were also subject to progressive rust and structural failure.

read the full case study here

HENDON LIBRARY, NW4

Guild acted as Main Contractor for this project to the Grade II listed building, although in use as a public library and part of Middlesex University, it had been neglected for some time. Rainwater ingress was becoming an increasing cause of damage to some elements of the building’s impressive decorative interior, the scope of works included a new roof with improved thermal performance and associated restoration and repair. Guild secured the contract after a competitive tender process and undertook all works whilst the building remained in use.

The large air conditioning systems to the shared areas and IT server rooms were required to be decommissioned and moved to allow for the installation of the new roof works, this was a particularly sensitive element of the project as the council’s and university’s main servers were housed within the building so it was necessary to install temporary air conditioning for the duration of the project to ensure the IT systems would be kept at the correct temperature, any failure to the IT systems for these two institutions would have been disastrous. Thanks to our meticulous planning and conscientious management of the project the switch overs occured without issue. Following the completion of the roof works the AC systems were lifted back in place and recommissioned in line with the regulatory guidelines.

HIGHGATE CEMETERY CHAPEL, N6

Guild were approached to undertake structural conservation repairs to the decayed chapel roof timbers and external remedial works to the roof. Working for The Friends of Highgate Cemetery Trust and alongside the project architect and a structural engineer, replacement timbers were designed and scarf joint repairs were expertly installed by our specialist conservation carpenters using approved materials & methods and finished to match the existing. Works were completed on time and budget with minimum disruption to the users of the chapel.

Overview of works

• Structural survey
• Design of structural repairs
• Timber replacement & conservation
• External roof repairs

HENDON PARK CEMETERY & CREMATORIUM, NW7

Guild successfully tendered for the restoration & refurbishment project as main contractor, we undertook an extensive scope of works over a 12 week programme. Due to the sensitive nature of the project location the works had to be carefully planned with consideration to services as the crematorium, chapels and cemetery remained operational throughout the project.

The cemetery is entered through a ‘quaint Old English Style’ (Pevsner) Gothic and Tudoresque gatehouse designed by architect Alfred A. Bonella.

Bonella also designed the flint-faced chapel in the centre of the cemetery, which opened in July 1903, and was ‘inspired by old Hertfordshire churches’ according to the cemetery brochure of 1903… inside is a terracotta reredos by Cantagalli, a copy of Luca Della Robbia’s ‘Resurrection’ in Florence Cathedral.

Appointed by London Borough of Barnet and Capita, we delivered a successful restoration & refurbishment project to the delight of the client’s project team. Working in constant liaison with the site based Cemetery staff, we managed the programme around the busy schedule of services to finish within the initial project programme despite uncovering significant additional remedial works, which were urgently required to the roof.

Overview of works

• Stone indents & restoration
• Lime plaster
• Replacement of Lead box gutter
• Slate works to roofs
• New Rooflights to Crematorium
• Parquet flooring restoration
• Paving
• New carpets
• Upgrade of remotely controlled motorised tracks
• Replacement curtains and alter covers
• New Audio control system
• Complete redecoration & refurbishment
• Electrical works including upgrade of lighting

We worked on the North & South chapels, the Crematorium, the Cloisters, Book of Remembrance room and Meeting room. Our client was delighted with our quality and performance during the contract which saw the team working around the clock and even over the xmas period with only 2 days off site. The cemetery remained operational with services and ceremonies for the duration of the works, as challenging as that was, we managed the works without causing delay or upset to the client and most importantly, the cemetery users in this sensitive environment.

CHISWICK HOUSE, W4

We were appointed by the Chiswick House & Gardens Trust to undertake essential restoration, repairs and refurbishment works. The Grade I listed Chiswick House is a  glorious example of Neo-Palladian architecture in London, the house was designed by Lord Burlington, and completed in 1729. The house and gardens occupy 26.33 hectares (65.1 acres) the gardens were created mainly by architect and landscape designer William Kent. The garden is one of the earliest examples of the English landscape garden.

Overview of works

• Lime Harling (rough cast) to garden walls
• Lime render & plaster repairs
• Removal of cement mortar render & pointing
• Damp remedial works
• Brick matching, replacement & restoration
• Structural repairs to masonry
• Roof works – improvement of detailing and lead work
• Complete redecoration & refurbishment of the Learning Centre

The Learning Centre, situated within the grounds and bordering the kitchen garden had been long suffering from damp to the masonry caused by the absence of adequate ventilation and the historic use of cement based renders and brick pointing to the walls. We removed the cement based mortars that were trapping moisture and introduced air bricks to allow constant ventilation which has allowed the masonry to finally breath and dry out. Upon removal of the cement based mortars it became apparent why a render had been applied, although structurally sound the face of the bricks were in a poor condition so lime pointing was not an option, it was decided that the walls should be finished with lime harling to offer a breathable and durable finish which is also aesthetically in keeping with the building.

SHOREDITCH HIGH ST, EC2

Located on the busy Shoreditch High Street, the building and ground floor retail units remained in occupation for the duration of the works. Continuous liaison with the client, Local Authority and Transport for London was maintained which helped to achieve an efficient programme of works.

Work begun with a complete masonry survey to the severely decayed terracotta units, once a detailed replacement schedule was determined the units to be replaced were designed to match the originals, many intricate individual units were replicated including ornate fretted balustrade, cornice, dentils, scrolled pilaster caps, window surrounds, pediments and finial plinths, in total almost 50% of the terracotta required replacement. The building which had been largely derelict since the 1980’s was considered for demolition until a full restoration programme was put into action. We were instructed to design, supply and install new cast terracotta units where the originals had severely decayed, we also sourced and procured reclaimed bricks to exactly match the originals that required replacement and carried out a complete re-point of the masonry.

Overview of works

• Design & installation of new terracotta units
• Doff cleaning
• Insitu repairs to terracotta
• Restoration of brick & re-pointing
• New specialist roof tiles and lead work
• Restoration of copper finial
• Timber window restoration
• Refurbishment of public clock
• External lighting

NEW BOND STREET, W1

Our expertise was sought to advise on and undertake exploratory works and paint removal samples to the granite and brick work of this imposing facade located in Europe’s most expensive retail location. The client, a high-end fashion designer had acquired the property and wished to find out if the granite and brick extended beyond what was currently visible. During the trials we discovered that the paint and plaster was covering the beautiful natural granite columns, block work and brick, with this established we were instructed to remove all coatings.

Using various paint softening poultices we began the process of establishing a suitable methodology to carefully and safely remove the many layers of inappropriate paints and coverings. Once we had broken down the multiple layers of paint with the poultices and could see the original masonry, a super-heated low pressure water system was used to remove stubborn oily residue that the poultice could not lift.

Overview of works

• Paint removal trials and exploratory works
• Development of suitable paint removal methodology
• Facade restoration and clean to granite, Portland stone and brick work

Our skilled stone masons used hand tools to remove the thick gypsum plaster and cement which had been applied internally to the granite and brickwork, with this removed we worked on the restoration to reveal the raw granite which made a strong feature and contrasted well with the sharp and clean finishes throughout the designer fashion store.

ISLINGTON, N1

We were initially asked to repair these steps under the instruction of a conservation architect, after we undertook a survey of the condition it was apparent that the steps were structurally unsafe and were a danger to use and therefore needed replacing. The client’s architect and structural engineer proposed a scheme that the client rejected. We were then asked for an alternative solution, Guild put forward a proposal and the client was happy to proceed with our alternative approach. Working directly with our structural engineer we designed the bespoke steps, created the moulds in the workshop and cast the units with reinforced steels to replicate natural Portland stone. All rebuilt brickwork and render finish was done with lime mortar. Read client’s review here:

Overview of works

• Design & installation of new cast stone units
• Structural engineer’s report
• Demolition of unsafe steps and brickwork
• Rebuild of brickwork
• Lime render
• Restoration & installation of original wrought iron railings

ST JOHN’S WOOD, NW8

Guild were contracted to undertake a full re-design and restoration to the facade of this early Victorian 4 storey town house situated within a conservation area just off Regent’s Park. During a full internal and external refurbishment programme, the client’s builder had removed all original architectural details to the facade. Guild’s expertise was sought to design, cast and install details to fit with the vernacular aesthetic of neighbouring properties.

Overview of works

• Design & installation of new cast units including full cornice, window hoods & architrave surrounds, large ornate corbels and window cills
• New render to facade
• Design & installation of heritage iron railings to match neighbouring

HIGHGATE, NW5

It was initially assumed that the 2 porticos and cantilevered balcony stone slab were likely to require demolition and complete rebuild at considerable financial expenditure to the client. Working with a structural engineer we designed suitable reinforcements to the fractured original stone balcony slab and the portico & columns which meant that we were able to undertake restoration and omit the need to completely rebuild these original structural elements.

Overview of works

• Structural supports to damaged balcony & porticos
• Stucco restoration
• Restoration of stone work
• Redecoration

The balcony slab had extensive fractures which required consolidation and support, stainless steel cramps were installed across the fractures and galvanised support brackets were designed, fabricated and installed to ensure that the balcony remains safe for use without the need for a costly rebuild.

The porticos also showed signs of movement fracture so lintels were installed beneath the columns to give additional structural support and the fractures were physically “stitched” with stainless steel to consolidate their structural integrity. Following the completion of structural repairs all architectural mouldings and details were restored to original profiles.

PERIOD PROPERTY RESTORATION & EXPANSION, LONDON

This Edwardian terraced house was in a poor state of repair when Guild were commissioned to undertake the project. We restored the facade back to it’s original design and returned the property’s period appeal. A dormer loft and rear extension were also added to expand and modernise the the former wreck into a family home.

Overview of works

• Removal of pebble dash
• Doff cleaning
• Brick restoration & lime pointing
• Restoration of stone work
• Timber sash window install
• Portland stone plinths with heritage gate & railing
• Traditional tiled pathway and stone paving
• Redecoration
• Ornate plasterwork restoration
• Design & build of loft conversion & ground floor extension

Overview of works

• Lime render to entire facade
• Cast restored replica stonework enrichments and install as per original
• In-situ repairs to stonework window hoods & portico
• Heli-bar reinforcements to fractures in brick and stone work

NOTTING HILL, W2

We supplied and installed missing architectural details to match the originals, this included the restoration of two large rams head urns, moulds were created from original details and replacement casts were produced which included acanthus leaf cornice corbels, balustrades, floral enrichments and finally the restoration to areas of failed stucco prior to redecoration.

Overview of works

• Cast restored replica stonework enrichments and install as per original
• In-situ repairs to stonework & stucco render
• Heli-bar reinforcements to fractures in brick and stone work
• Redecoration

BLACKHEATH, SE3

The large bay windows to this facade required new cornice and lambs tongue stringer courses to be supplied and installed by us. Details were taken from original features that remained intact elsewhere on the facade and moulds were produced for the casting of like-for-like units. Following installation of the new casts we undertook a number of in-situ repairs to the stucco and consolidated other areas that were showing signs of decay.

Overview of works

We were instructed to undertake restoration works to the facade of this property in Crouch End. The client’s surveyor had identified that some areas of the existing ornate masonry had decayed to the point that it posed a high risk of substantial pieces of stone falling onto the pedestrian footpath below. Replacement stones were indented where necessary and in-situ repairs carried out to moulded details prior to redecoration.

Overview of works

• Cast restored replica stonework details & enrichments
• In-situ repairs to stonework
• Brick repair & pointing
• Heli-bar reinforcements to fractures in brick and stone work
• Repairs to failed steel lintels
• Redecoration

KINGS ROAD, SW10

Following a survey to this property, the decorative masonry mouldings were found to have de-bonded from the facade presenting a realistic potential for falling masonry in the near future. All parties were in agreement that it was not cost effective to restore these areas with in-situ repairs so we were instructed to restore the facade of this property with replacement cast units. The restoration works included the removal of the decayed moulded details, preparations of the masonry substrate and installation of new moulded window surrounds, window hoods, cornice, decorative frieze panels and corbels.

Overview of works

• Cast restored replica stonework details & enrichments
• In-situ repairs to stonework
• Brick repair & pointing
• Heli-bar reinforcements to fractures in brick and stone work
• Repairs to failed brick lintels
• Redecoration

As is often the case with restoration works; we cannot always predict the condition of the substrate, we can only speculate that fractures can suggest more serious ongoing problems that can only be determined once preparation works are underway. The arched brickwork window head had shown signs of movement, evident in surface fractures to the moulded stucco. Following the removal of the stucco it was evident that the mortar binding the brick lintel had failed and was about to collapse so we needed to remove all loose masonry and install a concrete lintel before making good and installing the new mouldings as per the original facade.

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