Maysand’s technical talent came up with an innovative and quite probably unique solution to replace the cornice of a Victorian, grade II-listed, 3-storey building in Rugby.

The original had become dislodged and though the new cornice was to be a fake, it still had to look like the real thing. Engineers Bunyan Meyer and Partners called in Maysand and, as ever, the creative team rose to the challenge.

Maysand’s Mick Fowles explains: “The project had to meet the approval of Rugby’s conservation officer and also the stringent criteria laid down by the engineers. Construction needed to be structurally sound to a high standard; the cornice was to be lightweight but strong enough to take a person’s weight and we had to use traditional methods and materials in keeping with the existing building. Finally, the construction had to be water tight and able to take the fixing of a lead covering.”

“We put forward a number of options including GRP (glass reinforced plastic) and pre-cast units which were discounted. Eventually we came up with what we believe is a unique solution. Certainly in all my years in this industry I haven’t ever come across it before”, adds Mick.

Maysand’s inspired solution involved building a brick parapet on site and adding a stainless steel lightweight frame to form the shape of the cornice. The frame was then finished with an applied and modelled lime and cement stucco looking to all the world as near as possible to the original cornice.

Rob Parker-Gulliford, Conservation Officer at Rugby Borough Council, was delighted according to Mick: “He said he was pleased that there were still trained and skilled craftsmen who took such great pride in their work.”