We assisted John Simpson & Partners architects in the initial designs to see what could be made using various metals to create highly decorative elements

We also looked at ways of altering the design, assembly and installation to give the client, Historic Royal Palaces, cost savings off the original budget costs.

After a successful tender process and being awarded the contract all the drawing and materials were approved, we were then able to instruct our carvers to form full size detailed carvings of each element for approval by the architect and Historic Royal Palaces. After this the pattern maker could then form the various patterns ready to send to the foundry for casting in SG cast iron. On delivery of the castings from the foundry they were then fettled, machined and assembled the various items to form complete pilasters, along with all the various ropes & swags, acoroteriae, pyramids, capitals, rosettes, cornices and scrolls. These were then painted and wrapped ready to install. Mean while the roof structure was being formed, glass ordered, specialist glazing cappings agreed, lanterns and electricians sorted. The stone paving was agreed and ordered and the final details for the finishing touches approved by the architect. Our staff and those at the foundry worked several consecutive weekends to complete the work on time ready for site.

We worked to a very tight deadline of the 9th March 2012 as the order was only placed at the beginning of November 2011

The onsite teams worked quickly, hard and for long hours to get the structure up and ready for the other trades to follow on

plenty of coordination was needed between the various trades, especially with the painters to ensure we met the completion date, we could not over run as the project was part of a £12million revamp of Kensington Palace and Gardens opened by the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh on the 15th March.