Somerset-based West Country Blacksmiths will feature on Channel 4’s Grand Designs House of the Year 2019. The four part series showcases the finalists in the prestigious Royal Institute of British Architects’ House of the Year.
Among the finalists for the award is a truly unique property built within the Sartfell Nature Reserve on the Isle of Man. The building was designed by London-based architects Foster Lomas, a company which was founded by William Foster and Greg Lomas who both grew up in Somerset.
A central feature of the house, which has already won multiple national and regional awards are a set of bespoke metal staircases, walkways and library book shelving. The metalwork which totals over eight tonnes was all made and installed by West Country Blacksmiths and has received industry recognition by being award the AJ specification Staircase of the Year award 2019.
West Country Blacksmiths welcomed a team from Grand Designs to Allerford Forge to interview blacksmith Kyle Roberts (pictured) and CAD designer John Hesp to learn more about the work involved in producing the metalwork. The blacksmiths were also filmed at work in the forge.
The series starts on Wednesday, 23 October, with West Country Blacksmiths featuring in the second episode, which is due to be aired on Wednesday 30 October at 9pm.
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