The Natural History Museum is one of London’s most iconic buildings. Designed by Alfred Waterhouse, it was built in 1873, with a stunning terracotta façade decorated with animals, plants and even dinosaurs, to reflect the exhibits inside.
Today, the Museum is home to one of the largest and most important collections of natural history specimens in the world, and welcomes millions of visitors every year, challenging the way people think about the natural world and inspiring action to protect it.
©The Trustees of the Natural History Museum, London.
The building is currently undergoing a phased restoration. J & JW Longbottom have been supplying the museum with hardware for some years, including their site at Tring, and were delighted to be involved in the latest renovation project. New pipes, ear bands and plinth offsets were required to replace the originals made by Sloan and Davidson; the Leeds-based foundry sadly closed in 1992 after a century of making cast iron castings. We acquired their impressive pattern range, meaning their designs can still be used and we can offer matches for most existing rainwater castings, without the need for a new pattern.
A cast iron rainwater pipe is one of the most recognisable features of a period property and is often specified by planners and architects to maintain the traditional appearance of historic buildings. It’s not just about looks, cast iron is very strong and durable. Our engineers have relished the challenge of recreating the cast iron rainwater goods for the Natural History Museum, based on the original designs which had been in place for well over a hundred years. Their replacements should last at least that time, if not longer, to protect this magnificent building from rainwater for many years to come.
©Sloan & Davidson original ornamental earband pattern.