Directory of Traditional Building Skills

Over 30 years museum level experience in conservation and restoration of gilt wood objects.

Previous Work:

Silver leafed wood picture frame
Private owner: remove later degraded finish to reveal original sculptural detail of silver leaf preparations, and revealing remaining original silver leaf. Consolidate area of wood damaged by wood biting beetle larvae. Infill looses of finish. Silver leaf and tone. Apply protective coating.

Gilt wood rococo mirror
Private owner: clean surface , removed later addition bronze paint retouches, consolidate lifting and degraded finish. Remove poor structural repairs. Reassemble broken parts. Carve new parts for missing areas. Apply ground for gold leaf , gild and tone.

Specialist in all elements of stained glass and glass restoration including surveys, condition reports and supervision of works. Also restores glazed outdoor buildings.

Previous Work:

Portaferry Church, Co. Down 2014
On going project involving surveys of stained glass and other windows in church.

Glenageary, Dublin 2013
Surveys and report of stained glass and supervision of work.

Lorne Guiding Association House, Cultra 2010
Survey of solarium and stained glass with supervision of work until completion.

Award winning building consultancy firm that specialises in the restoration and re-use of historic buildings, integrating architectural building conservation and building surveying. In-house specialist Stone Conservation Services and Difficult Access Surveys.

Previous Work:

The Lanyon Building, Queen’s University Belfast

External restoration of the Grade A listed Lanyon Building at Queens University Belfast.

Dock & Thompson Dock Pump House 2017
Conservation and refurbishment of the Grade B1 listed Thompson Dock Pump House to provide facilities for visitors to the historic ship, The HMS Caroline, the last survivor of the Battle of Jutland

St. James Church, Parish of Ramoan, Ballycastle 2017
Internal and external restoration of the Grade B listed St. James’s Church.

The Graduate School, Queen’s University Belfast 2015
Refurbishment and re-use of the Grade B listed Lynn building at Queen’s University Belfast to create a Graduate School containing study rooms and social spaces within the vaulted interior.

Specialists in roof thatching.

Previous Work:

Replacement of old thatch, Stranocum, 2013.

Replacement of old thatch, Magherafelt, 2011

Replacement of old thatch, Sligo 2010

Architect with 25 years experience in the restoration, conversion, extension and alteration of a wide variety of listed and vernacular buildings.

Previous Work:

Station Road, Saintfield 2011
Conversion, extension and restoration of a former railway station into a residential dwelling.

Non Subscribing Presbyterian Church , Clough 2009
Repair and restoration of the interior and exterior.

Blanch Croft, Derbyshire 2010
Extension and alteration of a former frame-knitting croft.

Specialist conservation architects with extensive experience in restoration, conservation, repair, alteration and refurbishment of traditional, historic and listed buildings.

Previous Work:

Shankill Parish Church, Belfast 2013
Repairs to stonework and complete repointing of tower.

St Marks Parish Church, Newtownards 2010
Major stonework repairs to Grade A listed church.

Brownlow House, Lurgan 2009
Major restoration and refurbishment.

Specialists in conservation and restoration of the painted and gilded surface of historical interiors and exteriors. Works include gilding, marbling, fresco painting, stencilling and trompe l'oeil etc.

Previous Work:

Grand Opera House, Belfast
Full conservation cleaning and restoration of all decorative detailing within auditorium of Matcham's nationally significant Grand Opera House, including the cleaning and retouching of oil on canvas ceiling and proscenium paintings.

Dundarave House
Conservation cleaning and restoration of significant and remarkably complete original interiors at Dundarave House, which was built to designs by Charles Lanyon in the 1840s. Work has been carried out in nine phases over a number of years and has most recently included restoration of Lanyon's original scheme within the Grand Hall.

Hillsborough Castle
Decowell was appointed by Historic Royal Palaces to undertake the re-gilding of architectural elements within the Castle's principal rooms. Decowell also re-gilded garden gates on the estate, as well as the clock face and weather vane which adorns the Market House, outside the Castle.

Armagh Teapot
This iconic golden Victorian teapot hung outside the former CB Cafe on Scotch Street in Armagh, and dated back to 1870. After falling into severe disrepair, it was donated to Armagh Museum and following repair by Gerard Loughran (blacksmith) and re-gilding by Decowell in workshop forum at Armagh Museum, the Teapot is now proudly on display.

Conservation architect specialising in restoration, conversion, extension and alteration of historic buildings with particular interest in vernacular architecture.

Previous Work:

Rubane House, Kircubbin 2011
Complete exterior restoration of Demesne House including eradication of dry rot, re-roofing and new windows and shutters.

Lough Road, Ballinderry 2012
Restoration and alteration to cottage including rethatching to roof.

Ballynahinch Road, Hillsborough 2011
Restoration, alteration and extension of farmhouse and outbuildings.

Architectural practice covering design, conservation and project management and various projects throughout Ireland and Britain. Accredited conservationist with experience in conservation and project management.

Additional Works to those listed below include:

• Drumcree Parish Church, various works.
• St Stephen's Parish Church, Millfield, various works.
• Aghadowey Presbyterian Church, Coleraine, internal and external refurbishment.

Previous Work:

Christ Church Cathedral, Lisburn 2012
External and internal refurbishment. Extensive restoration of cathedral roof including replacement of the tower roof and rebuilding the spire.

Church of the Holy and Undivided Trinity, Magheralin
External and internal refurbishment.

Laurel Cottage, Tartaraghan, 2012
Extensive restoration.

Royal School, Dungannon, 2012
Extensive refurbishment over many years.

Acknowledging that historical buildings & structures are on a journey that neither starts or ends with us, is always our first step and helps us to cultivate a respectful approach.

Historic buildings & structures may not always meet the requirements of modern design codes, however our extensive experience allows us to use informed engineering judgement to minimize intervention and, where required, develop solutions that are sensitive to the original character and fabric.

Previous Work

Weaver's Court
Restoration and conversion of an 1840’s linen warehouse.

St.Mel's Cathedral
Following severe fire damage Design ID undertook restoration of the roof of St. Mel’s Cathedral Longford, a protected structure, built in the neo-classical style between 1840-1893.

Larne Market Yard
Restoration of the Grade B1 listed market yard including the original Market Building, the Auction House and storage sheds with historic timber ‘Belfast Trusses'.