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Kew - Herbarium
Fire safety works
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At Hunter House and the adjoining Herbarium buildings, DBR was entrusted with the conservation and refurbishment of historic timber doors within a complex that is both architecturally significant and home to irreplaceable botanical collections. Hunter House and three wings of the Herbarium are Grade II listed, representing an important part of the site's historic development and its long-standing role as a purpose-built centre for the preservation and study of plant specimens.
Client
Royal Botanic Gardens Kew
Dates
November 2021
—
March 2022
Location
London
Grade listing
Grade II
Fabric
Timber
Bringing historic finishes back to life
The conservation process began with the careful protection of surrounding areas before the removal of historic coatings from the doors. Water-based strippers were applied and gently removed using traditional hand tools, allowing the original timber surfaces to be revealed without causing damage. Once cleaned and prepared, the doors were stained to an agreed finish, sealed with shellac sanding sealer and meticulously repaired where required. Areas of damage were filled, shaped and coloured to blend seamlessly with the surrounding timber before the surfaces were traditionally French polished to restore depth, richness and durability to the finish.
Conserving performance as well as appearance
Alongside the restoration of decorative finishes, attention was given to the ongoing performance of the fire door sets. Recognising these doors as valuable assets that play a critical role in life safety and compartmentation, the project focused on ensuring both their appearance and functionality were maintained. The works supported the long-term reliability of the doors while helping to maximise their lifespan and reduce the need for reactive repairs.
Planning for the future
As part of the wider conservation strategy, recommendations were developed for a structured maintenance regime. Regular inspections were proposed to monitor the condition of door leaves, frames, ironmongery, glazing, signage, intumescent seals and smoke seals. By adopting a planned programme of maintenance and recording inspections, the building’s custodians would be able to preserve the integrity of these important fire doors, minimise disruption to the collection and occupants, and demonstrate ongoing compliance with their legal and conservation responsibilities.
Through a combination of traditional craftsmanship, careful conservation techniques and long-term maintenance planning, DBR helped ensure that these historic doors continued to perform their vital role while retaining their architectural character within one of the site's most important heritage assets.
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