MCD Heritage
From small, intimate builds to large-scale projects, we are always happy to chat about building a partnership that meets your specific needs.
From small, intimate builds to large-scale projects, we are always happy to chat about building a partnership that meets your specific needs.
Somerset House is one of the most stunning pieces of architecture in London.
Rebuilt at the end of the 18th Century by Sir William Chambers as a national building, Somerset House is now a centre for visual arts. Nelson Stair, in the South Wing, was rebuilt after World War II by Sir Albert Richardson. Beautifully and skillfully reconstructed the Nelson Stair is an architectural masterpiece.
With such an historic building, even refurbishment of toilets has to be undertaken with the utmost care and sensitivity. Paint needs to match existing and window works require skilled carpenters and joiners to carry out the work. MCD are renowned for their specialist experience in construction work within exhibition centres. Our expertise in working on historic buildings ensured that upgrading the toilets adjacent to Nelson Stairs would not only meet Somerset House's requirements, but would be done safely and with as minimal impact on the environment as possible.
The windows needed to be accessed via scaffolding and windows had to be removed gently by hand. We marked all the fixing points so that we knew where to put the new/repaired windows and could fit them with the minimum amount of disturbance. All woodwork within the toilet area was repaired and repainted, and ceramic tiles were fixed to the plasterboard lined walls. Finally we prepared the floor to receive stoneware floor tiles and left the toilets in a safe, neat and clean condition.
With all construction work that we do we pride ourselves in our ability to work safely. We also enjoy the challenge of refurbishing areas that are entirely in keeping with the existing architecture. Sometimes this is difficult because normal working practices are not permitted, so being creative is part of our skill set. However, it is this very aspect of the job that we so enjoy and are proud to be known for.
We are pleased that the toilets turned out so well and that visitors and staff at Somerset House will be able to enjoy them.