This was a £4m awarding winning project by Robert Woodhead Ltd (www.woodhead-construction.co.uk) involving the historical site of the former Rolls Royce factory on Nightingale Road Derby.
Cross & Sansam where approached to recreate the grand staircase of the Marble Hall section of the site which originally housed the specially commissioned stained glass window commemorating the production of the Merlin Spitfire engines during World War II, officially unveiled by HRH Princess Elizabeth, the future queen, in 1949.
With no drawings or any part of the original staircase still in existence the solid bronze balustrades and handrail would have to be recreated solely from old photographs. We conducted extensive site surveys and made numerous templates so we could recreate the staircase in-part back in our workshop.
Using our long gained experience in traditional patternmaking methods we were able to produce the extensive pattern equipment needed to create this piece of living history. During the life of the project we also had the chance to showcase our other skills and were asked to restore to their former glory the main entrance doors and all the adjoining doors to the Marble Hall.
Click on the images to take a closer look...
