Issue 39 Sept 23 - Journal - Page 62
a magnificent restoration. A pitched roof (replaced some
years ago with a flat felt roof) has been restored and below
it work has been completed on the valuable and ornate
plaster ceiling. This has been re-gilded to match its remarkable condition in the later 18th century.
Progress to date
The stewardship of one of the country's grandest 18thcentury Houses is an immense task. Stowe House is on
English Heritage's list of buildings at risk, and has been
named by the World Monuments Fund as one of the 100
most endangered sites of world significance.
Subsequently, July 2010 to July 2011 saw the restoration
of the Western Pavilion and State Dining Room exteriors.
This project has signifantly enhanced the appearance of
the South Front and has secured in particular the roofs of
the House for the next 75 years and beyond. Work on
the elaborate interior of the Music Room was completed
at the end of the summer in 2012. In the summer of 2013,
the magnificent Medici Lions were returned to the South
Front, complementing work to the stone balulstrade and
the installation of replicas of the 30 spun copper urns.
The Egyptian Hall has also been restored, complete with
wall paintings, sphynxes and sarcophagus. A stunning
restoration of the Blue Room was completed in 2014 and
work on the remaining major State Rooms will follow.
What has been achieved?
A generous grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund has enabled Stowe House Preservation Trust to open a new,
larger, multi-media Welcome Centre. The centre opens
out in to the cavern-like wine cellar under the spectacular
Marble Saloon and tells the beginnings and development
of the family and estate in a new and creative way. This is
part of a wider schools and community project which
makes Stowe House the centre of creative learning for
the area.
We are delighted to report that considerable progress has
been made in recent years to complete several phases of
the major restoration of Stowe House. A two year project,
completed in July 2010, involved the restoration of the
roofs, elevations, facades, balustrades and garden on the
Eastern Pavilion and State Library side of the House. As
part of this phase, the Library and Ante Library, immediately to the east of the central pavilion, have undergone
The World Monuments Fund have been invaluable
partners in our work and over the last 2-3 years we have
been working on a £10 million matched funding
challenge, made possible through the generosity of an
anonymous benefactor
Refinery combines expertise from two
radically different industries to bring an
entirely new approach to the conservation of
historic wood.
Our unique partnership pairs expertise in 3D
scanning, digital modelling and CNC
production with conservation consultancy
and highly skilled traditional hand carving
and joinery.
This pairing of two distinctly different
practices employs digital technologies to
support and elevate traditional process,
rather than attempt to replace it. As a result,
our unique workflow harnesses the powerful
new capabilities of digital production, while
fully retaining the vital authenticity of fine
traditional craftsmanship.
We are delighted to have been appointed by
the Stowe House Preservation Trust to create
a replacement pair of highly ornate chimney
pieces for their State Dining Room.
contact@refinerystudio.co.uk
+44 (0) 7817 144 152
www.refinerystudio.co.uk
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Conservation & Heritage Journal
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