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Radiant House
Cleaning
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In the early years of the 20th century, Radiant House was commissioned by Ernest Eugene Pither as a tribute to Sophia Elizabeth Pither, née Bézier. Completed in January 1915, the building carried both personal significance and architectural ambition. Designed by Francis Léon Pither, though publicly attributed on its plaque to F. M. Elgood, it stood as a refined example of early 20th-century urban design, its façade clad in gleaming white faience intended to resist soot and weather while projecting brightness into the street.
Over time, however, that brightness had been obscured.
Client
Mount Eden Land Ltd C/O Langham Estate Management Ltd
Dates
2017
—
2018
Location
London
Grade listing
Grade II
Revealing the Original Surface
By 2017, layers of later paint had concealed the character of the faience façade. DBR was commissioned to undertake cleaning and restoration works, beginning with the careful stripping of paint from the previously decorated ceramic blocks. As coatings were removed, the original glazed surfaces re-emerged, though not without revealing areas of damage beneath.
Where deterioration had compromised individual units, damaged blocks were replaced with new pieces carefully matched to the originals in colour and form.
Uncovering the Hidden Cause
The removal of defective faience exposed corroding structural steel behind the decorative surface, symptoms of what is often described as “Regent Street Disease,” in which moisture penetrates behind masonry and attacks the metal fixings within. Left untreated, this hidden corrosion can crack and displace the façade from behind.
DBR treated the exposed steelwork to halt further deterioration before reinstating the surrounding fabric, addressing not only the visible damage but its underlying cause.
Restoring the Openings
Attention was also given to the building’s windows. Frames were eased and adjusted to ensure smooth operation, repaired where necessary, and redecorated to complement the renewed façade. These quieter interventions ensured that functionality matched appearance, returning the building to a state of coherent performance.
When works finished, Radiant House lived up to its name once more. Its faience façade regained brightness, structural issues were stabilised, and its memorial purpose remained clear. Through careful conservation, DBR preserved both material fabric and personal history, securing this century‑old tribute for the modern city.
