Commercial
Maison Dieu
The remarkable reawakening of Dover’s Grade I Listed Maison Dieu — a centuries-old architectural gem brought back to life through careful restoration and visionary conservation.
Client
Dover District Council
Service
Restoring 200+ stained glass windows
Architect
Haverstock & Rena Pitsilli-Graham
Location
Dover
The Project
Through expert restoration and conservation, Maison Dieu’s unique glazing was preserved and brought back to life
There are approximately 200 windows (comprising approx. 650 panels) at Maison Dieu. Each element was individually assessed and treated in accordance with the level of conservation required. Our works to the stained glass ranged from:
A large number of panels required removal for studio restoration. Our team carefully removed these panels from site, whilst temporarily glazing the openings. In most cases, the stained glass panels were re-leaded, using like for like lead cames to size and section, conserving and consolidating any broken glass or if absolutely necessary, painting new and inserting, matching the original as closely as possible. The restored panels were made watertight and re-glazed upon completion
A full conservation clean to both internal and external surfaces, using approved methods and materials, monitoring our progress in great detail to ensure the stability of the original artwork.
A vast number of in situ repairs were carried out to stabilise any damage or completely replaced to ensure the structural integrity of a damaged area, without the requirement of removing full window sets.
310 no. stained glass windows, had individual detailed templates taken of the stone and fitted with marine grade stainless steel wire guards. The guards were shaped to sit within the detail of the stone to best showcase their form and flow.
Furthermore, our team of conservators worked on restoring a number of sash windows, cast iron casements, from single repairs, decorating, easing and adjusted the units in situ. This included the removal of the whole of the east elevation, which comprised of 31 cast iron windows for conservation.
In an ecclesiastical setting, you’d typically find religious scenes painted onto the glass. At Masion Dieu, the images depict stories based on the history of Dover. Please see the link attached for further information:
Commercial Restorations
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Services
Our Services – Traditional, Bespoke, Restorative
Discover the full range of our specialist services, from stained glass restoration and heritage glazing to metalwork conservation and timber repair. With a focus on craftsmanship, accuracy, and care, we help preserve the character and integrity of historic buildings across the UK.
