DBR Limited

Crafting History, One Stone at a Time 🔨 At DBR Southern's Yard & Education Centre, our skilled masons have been meticulously carving these stunning pier caps—a crucial element in preserving the historic wall they belong to. But what exactly do pier caps do? 🤔 These beautifully crafted stone features protect the piers (pillars) of a wall from weathering, helping to divert rainwater and prevent long-term damage. Designed with a drip groove and a precise 50mm overhang, they ensure water is guided away from the structure—just one of the many traditional techniques our masons uphold in their craft. Stay tuned for the on-site install—we can't wait to see these in place! #dbr #pasthasafuture #masonry #dbrsouthern #piercaps #bespokecarving #ukmasons #piercaps

DBR was entrusted with carrying out the conservation works to the Palace of Westminster Encaustic Tiles over a decade; adopting a selective approach to balance preservation with necessary intervention. This project not only preserves a key element of the Palace of Westminster’s architectural identity but also ensures that these historic floors can withstand continued use while remaining true to their 19th-century origins. By combining traditional craftsmanship with modern conservation practices, the project stands as a testament to the enduring legacy of Britain’s rich decorative heritage. Great work to all involved in this project!

DBR Conservation has been carrying out a major laser cleaning package to a London landmark. This package includes 3 active laser teams across the project site! 🥽💥 DBR’s team of conservators has been specially trained to carry out laser cleaning to sculpted elements of this façade, including gargoyles, grotesques, drip courses, and stained surfaces. The laser cleaning method removes unwanted layers of sulphation and deposits from the historic substrates without penetrating or damaging the historic fabric. Here is a snippet of what the ongoing process looks like on different types of soiling... #dbr #pasthasafuture #lasercleaning #conservation #terracotta #londonconservation #londonlandmarks

Our monumental £12m roof restoration project is now underway, marking the most significant conservation effort in our UNESCO World Heritage Site's history. This ambitious project will preserve our architectural legacy for generations to come. Our visitors will be able to delve into the history behind our 300-year-old roof with our new CULTURATI app, coming in 2025. They will discover hidden stories, explore unique perspectives, and dive deep into our ongoing restoration journey. #CULTURATILikeMyWay

Great to be on-site at Kew Gardens, where our team from DBR London and DBR Conservation are hard at work conserving the Japanese Gateway (Chokushi-Mon). This stunning Grade II listed structure is a replica of the famous gateway in Japan. This gateway was created for an exhibition in London in 1910. This structure is a remarkable example of traditional Japanese craftsmanship. Our specialists are carefully cleaning, repairing, and conserving its intricate carvings, decorative surfaces, and repoussé metalwork. The traditional copper roof and finely detailed timber elements are receiving the attention they deserve to ensure their longevity. It’s a privilege to be part of this journey, preserving an iconic structure for future generations. More updates to come as we continue this exciting conservation project! Images courtesy of Clews Architects Ltd #DBR #ConservationInProgress #KewGardens #HeritageCraft #JapaneseGateway #ChokushiMon #HistoricBuildings #PreservingThePast

🏆 Elizabeth Tower: A RIBA London Awards Finalist! 🏆 The restoration of Elizabeth Tower has been shortlisted for a RIBA London Award, recognising the dedication, craftsmanship, and expertise that went into the most extensive conservation project in the tower’s 160-year history. This achievement wouldn't have been possible without the collaborative effort of a multidisciplinary team— Well done to everyone involved! 👏 Purcell | Sir Robert McAlpine | Lendlease | Shepley Engineers Ltd | Cliveden Conservation | Stannah Lifts and Lift Services | UNIVERSAL COATINGS (UK) LIMITED | Kilnbridge | Reyntiens Glass Studio | Hall & Kay | Cumbria Clock Company Ltd | HCL Safety | Clipfine Ltd | AECOM | SOCOTEC | Turner & Townsend | Buro Happold | FALCK CONSULTANCY SERVIES #pasthasafuture #heritagebuildings #heritage #restoration #conservation #architecture #parliamentaryestate #bigben #stonemasonry #craftsmanship

#NationalApprenticeshipWeek2025 – Celebrating Our Apprentices! At DBR, we believe in nurturing the next generation of craftspeople, ensuring that vital heritage skills continue to thrive. Today, we would like to spotlight Dylan Stewart, who joined us as an Apprentice Trainee Craft Conservation Cleaner in February 2024. Since starting his journey with DBR, Dylan has gained hands-on experience working on some of the UK’s most iconic landmarks, including: 🏛️ Natural History Museum 🎨 Victoria and Albert Museum 🦁 Trafalgar Square Maintenance 🏰 Somerset House Through these projects, Dylan has developed key conservation skills while learning from experienced mentors. His progress is a testament to the importance of apprenticeships in bridging the skills gap and safeguarding our historic buildings. By investing in apprentices today, we are securing the future of heritage conservation. Let’s continue to build #SkillsForLife together! #dbr #pasthasafuture #naw2025 #HeritageSkills #ConservationCareers #Apprenticeships #skillsforlife

#NationalApprenticeshipWeek2025 – Celebrating the future of heritage conservation through Skills for Life Today, we are thrilled to highlight Connor King, our Trainee Craft Assistant currently working on our Olympia London project. Connor joined the DBR team as an apprentice in November 2024. Through hands-on experience and expert mentorship, Connor is developing the specialist skills needed to restore and protect our built heritage. At DBR, we’re committed to mentoring the next generation of craftspeople, ensuring traditional skills are passed down and preserved for the future. With a growing skills gap in heritage conservation, apprenticeships play a vital role in safeguarding our historic buildings and structures. Let’s continue to build #SkillsForLife together! #dbr #pasthasafuture #naw2025 #HeritageSkills #ConservationCareers #Apprenticeships #skillsforlife

This week is #NationalApprenticeshipWeek2025 ! DBR is proud to champion the next generation of craftspeople. With a growing skills gap in heritage conservation, we are committed to mentoring and training apprentices, ensuring traditional skills are preserved for the future. From hands-on experience at Crystal Palace Subway and Olympia London to NVQs at Palace of Westminster, our apprentices gain real-world expertise alongside seasoned mentors. We also collaborate with QEST, Historic England Skills Forum and the Cathedrals’ Workshop Fellowship to support craft development across the sector. Investing in apprentices today means safeguarding our heritage for generations to come. Let’s continue to build Skills for Life together! #dbr #pasthasafuture #naw2025 #HeritageSkills #ConservationCareers #Apprenticeships #skillsforlife

Conservation brickwork repairs to the Grade II* listed Gunboat Yard Boundary Wall by DBR Limited. This section of the extensive wall required removal of cement render, brickwork replacement, repointing and removal of the remnants of a concrete roof slab which was repaired in new brick.