Red House Glass Cone Museum
| Client | Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council |
|---|---|
| Architect | Chris Hesketh, CTD Architects |
| Scheduled Monument Designation | Historic England |
|---|---|
| Contract value | £1.1m |
In July 2023, we began work on the restoration of the Red House Glass Cone in Wordsley – one of the most iconic and historically significant heritage structures in the Black Country. This 90-foot conical brick structure, a Scheduled Monument, dates back to the 1700s and is home to the world’s only intact Lehr.
Due to its status as a Scheduled Monument, this major restoration project required careful planning, heritage conservation expertise, and stringent adherence to conservation protocols.The challenge to complete a large restoration works on a constricted site whilst the museum remained open to public for the entire construction phase. secondly to complete the works in 12 months in readiness for a World Heritage Glass Festival planned for August 2024.
Key aspects of the restoration included:
Structural Access and Scaffolding:
· Full height internal independent birdcage scaffold to service the whole full height walls.
· Full height Structural independent external scaffold designed to access the whole outer wall, which remained completely independent with no loads transferred to the Cone’s structure, 9 inch brick walls.
Hazardous Material Removal & Masonry Conservation – Red House Glass Cone
Over 800m² of internal wall surface was carefully cleaned, with the safe removal of 200 years’ worth of toxic soot—containing heavy metals including arsenic—carried out under strict air monitoring conditions. Internally, 1,000 eroded bricks were replaced.
Externally, 800m² of historic brickwork underwent full conservation, including complete removal of hard cement pointing, brick replacement and reconstruction where required, and repointing using traditional lime mortar.
At the top of the Cone, we installed a bespoke stainless steel frame incorporating steeplejack eyes and a curved structural glass dome—specially manufactured by Runcorn Glass & Bending, the only company in the UK capable of producing curved glass of this nature..
The Cone Interior & Kiln Interpretation – Red House Glass Cone
As part of the restoration, we carefully dismantled a 1990s imitation kiln to protect the original historic lehr. A new walk-over circular glass feature was installed, echoing the shape of the original firing kiln, and the floor was reinstated using locally made Ketley Brick Paviours in a traditional circular pattern.
Visitor access was improved with the installation of a modern lift, providing step-free access to the first-floor gallery. Roof repairs were also completed on the Cone’s external extensions, along with new cast iron rainwater goods and a fully excavated underground stormwater drainage system.
Despite the complexity of working within a live public site, we collaborated closely with the architect, Historic England, and Dudley Council’s conservation team to deliver the works safely and efficiently. The project was 99% complete ahead of the World Heritage Glass Festival in August 2024.
