CAse Studies

Wingham stairs

The Brief - A Bespoke Staircase Designed to Make a Statement

When our client, Peter, approached us to design a bespoke metal staircase, he wanted it to make a clear architectural statement and to move away from a conventional spindle arrangement.

Our solution was a striking floating wall of textured steel, framed by a polished bronze handrail. Designed and handcrafted specifically for the space, the staircase celebrates the contrast between the dark, textured steel and the warmth of the polished bronze.

The full-height windows behind the staircase provide an abundance of natural light, which plays across the hand-worked surfaces throughout the day, highlighting the texture and character of the metalwork.

The finished staircase combines traditional blacksmithing skills with contemporary architectural metalwork, creating a unique focal point that is both functional and sculptural.

In the Forge

This bespoke metal staircase presented some fascinating technical challenges. The longest of the textured steel plates measured 5.7 metres and weighed nearly 80kg. With each piece needing to be heated to around 1,100°C before the texture could be forged into the steel, creative thinking and the development of bespoke forging processes became an essential part of the project.

Every textured steel plate was individually forged and completely unique. Each was carefully worked to precise requirements, allowing us to create the desired visual rhythm and character while ensuring the finished staircase remained fully compliant with building regulations.

This combination of traditional blacksmithing techniques, specialist metal forging and contemporary architectural metalwork allowed us to create a truly bespoke finish—one that celebrates the natural variation and character of hand-forged steel.

The finished project

The finished project brings together a fabricated steel cantilever staircase with handmade oak treads and glass risers, combining traditional craftsmanship with clean, contemporary design.

The individually forged textured steel plates form both the staircase balustrade and a striking sculptural feature, giving the staircase its distinctive character while allowing it to sit comfortably within the surrounding architecture.

A hand-forged bronze handrail follows the staircase, providing a substantial and tactile handhold while introducing warmth and contrast against the textured steel. Together, the steel, bronze, oak and glass create a carefully balanced palette of materials, resulting in a truly bespoke staircase that showcases both contemporary architectural metalwork and traditional blacksmithing craftsmanship.

Rough Bank butterfly gate

The Brief – Designing a Bespoke Gate for Rough Bank Nature Reserve

The 2018 Richard Seager Design Award invited blacksmiths to design and make a large pedestrian entrance gate for Rough Bank Nature Reserve, a nationally important butterfly and wildlife habitat.

The brief called for a bespoke gate that would provide a practical entrance to the nature reserve while responding creatively to the character and natural environment of the site.

I submitted my design to the open competition and was delighted to win the 2018 Richard Seager Design Award, along with the opportunity to bring the design to life and create the finished gate for the reserve.

The project provided an opportunity to combine traditional blacksmithing and hand-forged metalwork with a contemporary, nature-inspired design, creating a unique entrance for this important wildlife site.

In the Forge – Traditional Blacksmithing & Contemporary Metalwork

The Rough Bank Nature Reserve gate was designed and handcrafted to last for generations. Its galvanised finish provides a durable, low-maintenance and corrosion-resistant surface, protecting the steel from the elements and helping the finished gate stand the test of time.

The gate combines traditional blacksmithing, hand-forging and joining techniques with contemporary metal fabrication. Each element was carefully forged and constructed to create a richly detailed yet balanced design, while maintaining the strength and quality required of a permanent architectural feature.

The result is a bespoke hand-forged steel gate that brings together traditional craftsmanship and contemporary construction, creating a distinctive entrance that responds to both the character and natural setting of Rough Bank Nature Reserve.

The Finished Project – A Bespoke Entrance for Rough Bank Nature Reserve

The finished gates were installed onto a purpose-built fabricated steel substructure, creating a strong and permanent architectural feature while protecting the surrounding dry-stone walls from unnecessary intervention or damage.

Careful consideration was given to both the installation and the sensitive nature of the site, allowing the hand-forged steel gates to sit naturally within the existing stonework while providing a durable and distinctive entrance to Rough Bank Nature Reserve.

The completed project brings together traditional blacksmithing, bespoke architectural metalwork and considered contemporary design, creating a lasting entrance that complements the landscape and character of the nature reserve.

Contemporary forged steel and bronze balustrade

The Brief – A Bespoke Forged Steel Balustrade with Minimal Impact on Sight Lines

When working on a bespoke commission, one of the first challenges is understanding the client’s priorities and how the finished metalwork should respond to its surroundings. In this instance, the contemporary interior was filled with natural light and carefully curated with a number of distinctive sculptural pieces.

The brief was to create a bespoke steel balustrade providing the required guarding while preserving the open character of the interior and minimising its impact on important sight lines.

To achieve this, the upright steel bars were individually forged with a gentle taper, becoming both visually and physically lighter as they rise. This gives the balustrade a delicate appearance while retaining the strength and functionality required of an architectural railing.

The balustrade was completed with antiqued bronze top rails and handrails, introducing warmth and contrast against the forged steel. The bronze provides a tactile surface in the hand while creating a subtle visual highlight throughout the installation.

In the Forge - celebrating the process within the design

Rather than concealing the construction, the prominent connections were created using traditional blacksmithing techniques, including forged rivets and tenon joints. These details provide subtle points of interest that reveal themselves when the balustrade is viewed at close range, celebrating the craftsmanship behind the finished piece without overwhelming the overall design.

The Finished Project – A Bespoke Balustrade Designed for the Space

With underfloor heating beneath the floor and newly rendered, undulating stone walls surrounding the installation, this project presented a number of challenges that could only be properly resolved through an accurate site survey and a truly bespoke balustrade design.

Working closely with the client’s building contractor, we established the construction and fixing details beneath the finished floor before developing a carefully considered installation plan. This allowed the forged steel balustrade to be securely fitted while protecting the underfloor heating and accommodating the irregularities of the existing stonework.

Careful planning in the workshop resulted in a smooth installation on site, with the completed balustrade fitting comfortably and naturally within the surrounding architecture.

The finished bespoke forged steel balustrade, with its antiqued bronze handrails, combines traditional blacksmithing, contemporary design and specialist architectural metalwork. The result provides the necessary guarding while preserving the light, open character of the interior and demonstrating the value of designing and manufacturing bespoke metalwork specifically for its setting.