A Look at the Art of Replicating Georgian Architectural Joinery
A little over a year ago Biker Group completed the manufacture and installation of the external and internal architectural joinery on a rather unique project for Robert and Lynne Staveley.
Over 200 years on and Georgian architecture continues to please and remains the style most requested by three quarters of us when we imagine our dream home.A little over a year ago Biker Bespoke completed the manufacture and installation of the external and internal architectural joinery on a rather unique project for Robert and Lynne Staveley.
You can be forgiven for mistaking their multi-award winning property is a classic mid-Georgian country house, but in fact a highly innovative new build eco home that ingeniously marries 18th century architecture with 21st century technology. With sustainable timber being the greenest of all building materials, Robert & Lynne were keen to incorporate it wherever possible, just as the Georgians would have done. Georgian homes stood for simplicity, power, prestige and stability and the Staveley’s property is testament to that.
“Successful Georgian interior design is all about proportions; high ceilings and large windows that flood rooms with light to create a simple sense of openness.”
Georgian homes look to the doctrines of classical Greek and Roman architecture for their inspiration; theories of proportion and symmetry adapted by the 16th century Italian architect Andrea Palladio govern the design of the façade. Robert and Lynne set a specific date of 1770 for their home where Palladianism was challenged by Neo-classical architects such as Robert Adam (1728-92) and James Wyatt (1746-1813).
The Staveley’s facade illustrates this change by featuring two types of traditional box sash windows.The front façade features Palladian or Venetian windows, which are a three-part window with a wider and arched central window anked by two narrower and shorter rectangular windows.The second window type being the iconic Georgian 6 over 6 rectangular window.The external windows and doors are handsomely crafted out of extremely durable and stable hardwood timber.
Robert, Lynne and Ben Biker spent some time detailing the glazing bars to ensure they replicated the slim and elegant sightlines of the Georgian bar whilst accommodating the latest highly ef cient double glazed units.They also developed an innovative foil to black out some of the “dummy” windows where the internal layout does not allow a window opening.The main entrance is the main ornamental feature of the Georgian façade, with the exquisite detailing of the semi-circular fan light above the door being a distinctive feature of Adams architectural style.This also lets light enter the hall, which was a fundamental Georgian principle. Internally the house is a true celebration of Georgian internal architecture.The entrance hall and feature oval staircase are reproductions of Robert Adam’s work, and deliver a discreet aunting of opulence that is very characteristic of the periods interiors. Successful Georgian interior design is all about proportions; high ceilings and large windows that ood rooms with light to create a simple sense of openness.
“Georgian homes stood for simplicity, power, prestige and stability and the Staveley’s property is testament to that.”
Solidly constructed tulipwood 6 panel doors, bounded by raised & elded door linings, further enhance the depth of the internal doorways and remind you of the structural integrity of the build that is so evident externally. Georgian walls were archetypally divided into three sections between the oor, dado and cornice. Biker Bespoke replicated 2 and 3 part classically derived timber mouldings that sweep graciously along the walls and develop the proportions.The oval hall and landing provided a true test of craftsmanship to produce the curved skirting, architrave and door panelling, but the finished article is exquisite.
Shutters are often an overlooked feature of a Georgian house, but in this case some of the nest and most precise architectural joinery work undertaken by Biker Bespoke is showcased in the internal window shutters and surrounds.The tulipwood elded panelled shutters are handsomely encased by surrounding architrave and complimented by sof t panelling and uted pilasters. The shutters are not only decorative but functional; providing further insulation, privacy and the rebated meeting styles and fastening bars are designed to offer additional security. Decorative yet practical window seats were formed within the deep reveals below the windows, which also inventively accommodate the cast iron radiators. Internal foil lining was developed to maximise the ef ciency of heat output through the decorative brass grille frontage, further evidence of the thought put into energy conservation throughout the property.
Whilst the architectural joinery produced by Biker Bespoke is of the upmost quality, the remarkable nish is due to Robert and Lynne’s impressive knowledge of Georgian properties and their inspiring commitment they gave the project over the two and a half years it took to build.
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