This project involved the bespoke fabrication of new, manually operated gates for a listed property.

Featuring traditionally cast ornamental pieces on a fabricated steel frame, the gates authentically restore the entrance’s historic character through pure craftsmanship, respecting the building’s protected status and timeless quality.

A Story of Restoration and Craft

The story of the Warwick Terrace gates began with a clear vision: to reinstate the original grandeur of a prestigious listed property’s entrance. The existing gates were unsuitable, and the client sought a new, bespoke set that would be entirely authentic to the building’s Georgian heritage. The brief was uncompromising in its pursuit of historical accuracy, specifying magnificent, manually operated gates that prioritised craftsmanship and aesthetic integrity over modern convenience.

The design philosophy was one of “pure, authentic creation.” The objective was to create new gates that looked and felt as though they had been in place for centuries. This commitment demanded extensive historical research to ensure every detail was correct. A close, collaborative team of the client, design engineer, and our specialist steel workshop was essential from day one.

The primary structural challenge was safely supporting the weight of the new, heavy gates without imposing any load on the historic brick piers. The fabrication was a hybrid process, leveraging the unique strengths of both mild steel and cast iron.

The Fabrication Process:

The gate’s core frame was fabricated from new mild steel sections to provide the essential strength and rigidity. For the intricate decorative elements—the fleur-de-lis finials and detailed tracery—new patterns were created and used in a traditional ornamental casting process to produce the ornamental pieces in solid cast iron. Each casting was then meticulously finished. These new cast components were then perfectly integrated with the fabricated steel frame.

Constant dialogue between the design team and the workshop, ensured the project’s heritage goals were met without compromise.

The Warwick Terrace project is a superb example of heritage fabrication and deserves to win an Irish Steel award for its uncompromising commitment to authenticity and craftsmanship.

Its greatest strength lies in its Purity of Craftsmanship. In an age of automation, this project makes a deliberate and powerful statement by choosing flawless manual operation. Without technology to hide behind, the quality of the fabrication is paramount.The project showcases the enduring beauty and relevance of traditional metalworking, where the focus is entirely on the material, the form, and the artisan’s hand.

Secondly, the project demonstrates Excellence in Heritage Fabrication. It masterfully solves the challenge of introducing a significant new element into a protected, historic setting. The intelligent structural solution, which completely isolates the new loads from the old fabric, is a model of sympathetic engineering. The meticulous use of traditional casting to create new ornamental pieces ensures the gates are a seamless and authentic addition to the property’s character.

Finally, this project represents a lasting contribution to Ireland’s built heritage. It is a testament to the fact that new steel and iron construction can be the most effective way to restore and preserve the integrity of historic sites. By eschewing passing trends and focusing on timeless quality and durability, these gates are not just built for today, but are an enduring feature for generations to come, enhancing the property and th entire streetscape.