Focus has been appointed to project manage the refurbishment of the listed Dora House in London - the home of the Royal Society of Sculptors.
The artist-led membership organisation, which supports sculptors throughout their careers, was created more than 100 years ago to champion contemporary sculpture and the artists who create it. The society still leads the conversation about sculpture today through its extensive and varied exhibitions and events.
The Royal Society of Sculptors is based in South Kensington, near to some of London’s most iconic museums, in the grade II listed Dora House, with its striking architecture and light-filled spaces. The listed building retains many of its beautiful features, including tall leaded windows and original fireplaces, but the building is in decline and requires fundamental repairs and conservation work to prevent further water egress and damage to the outside.
After fund raising, the Royal Society of Sculptors has begun the first phase of a £6.5m restoration project.
Focus, with offices in London, Nottingham and Leicester has been appointed to provide project management and cost management services along with contract administration. Working alongside Purcell, the project’s conservation architect, work is now being undertaken to replace the roof and carry out repairs to the building’s façade.
Focus partner, Ellie Clarke said: “Focus is delighted to be helping the Royal Society of Sculptors to stabilise and conserve the beautiful and unique Dora House. The project will make sure that the building is much easier to maintain and repair going forward so that the society can continue to look after it and make the most of it for the future generations of sculptors.
“Focus has wide experience of working on sensitive, listed buildings of historic importance and we are very pleased to be part of the team undertaking this vital repair and refurbishment work.”
Clare Burnett, President of the Royal Society of Sculptors said: “Dora House has been in need of repair for many years and the situation is critical – I am absolutely delighted to announce that we have raised £435,000 of the necessary £600,000. With these donations from trusts, foundations and individual donors we will be able to get started and work our way down from the roof, but we still need a further £165,000 to make the building dry and secure and to fully restore its façade.”
The project is the first phase of a major programme to conserve and transform Dora House into a leading centre of sculpture and 3D art.
Focus is a multi-disciplinary company offering a range of services across different sectors. Focus divides its services into three sections – Create, Deliver and Assess - and offers funding, business planning and economic development through the Create division, and quantity surveying, project management and building surveying through the Deliver department. The firm’s Assess team advises on sustainable buildings, building physics, compliance and planning, and on-site testing.
To find out more about the Royal Society of Sculptors and the work it does, visit https://sculptors.org.uk/
To find out more about Focus and the projects the company has been involved in and the services offered visit www.focus-consultants.com