Rough Bank butterfly gate
The original award-winning gate design
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.
Fabrication and assembly in the workshop
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 gate at 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.