The Honourable Society of Gray’s Inn, Gray’s Inn Square, London - Roof and Window Restoration Progra

Roof and Window Restoration Programme

The Honourable Society of Gray’s Inn, Gray’s Inn Square, London WC1

Highlights

In just 32 weeks, Axis’ Heritage team delivered a full Roof and Window Restoration Programme at 7-12 Grays Inn Square for our longstanding client The Honourable Society of Gray’s Inn.

In total, we surveyed, repaired, and redecorated over 251 timber windows at this prestigious historic property combining barrister chambers and residential apartments.

Our roof works started with the removal of existing felt roofing and ridge tiles. We boarded over redundant roof lights before installing new Bauder roof coverings.

The project also included reinstating coping slabs in accordance with Bauder specifications, removal and refitting of the existing lightwell bridge, and the careful replacement of the upper two layers of perimeter roof tiles to maintain continuity with the surrounding historic buildings.

Specifications

• 251 window repairs

• Window and soffit decoration

• Roof covering removal

• Bauder roof installation

• Roof tile replacement

• New ridge tiles installed

• Coping slab reinstatement

• Boarding redundant rooflights

• Skylight removal and replacement

• New sky lanterns installation

• Lightwell bridge removal and refit

• Gutter repair

• Lead downpipes oiled

• Gold leaf hopper finishes

• Asbestos inspections and removal

• Full scaffold and hoist

£530,000 value

32 weeks duration

The Axis’ Heritage team installed new skylight domes and sky lanterns improving weather proofing and natural light. To enable safe works on the roof in the future, we also installed a brand new man safe system.

In addition to the Roof and Window Restoration programme, we decorated soffits and downpipes, restored leaking guttering, oiled all lead downpipes, and applied gold leaf to the historic hoppers, preserving key heritage features.

Resident communication and care

All chambers and apartments remained fully occupied throughout the duration of the works: tenants include senior legal professionals and student residents.

Axis maintained regular and proactive communication, engaging residents through email updates, on-site visits and in-person meetings to explain programme stages, access requirements and any expected disruption.

After close consultation with chambers staff and residents, we scheduled loud works to take place between 8 -10am to ensure minimal disruption to high-level professional operations and legal proceedings.

Benefits

• Improved weatherproofing and reduced risk of water ingress

• Increased thermal efficiency, reducing heating bills for residents and chambers

• Protection against future maintenance and emergency repair costs

• Preservation of original heritage character and historic finishes

• Enhanced comfort and working conditions for a high-profile professional environment

• Enhanced natural light and improved weather protection

‘‘ ’’

As Clerk of Works for Gray’s Inn, I found the Axis team, and committed to quality. Their workmanship, communication and focus on safety delivered a highstandard roof refurbishment at 7-12 Gray’s Inn. I would gladly work with them again in the future.

of Works at The Honourable Society of Gray’s Inn

Client relationshsip

Axis’ Heritage team has partnered with The Honourable Society of Gray’s Inn for over 10 years delivering major works, maintenance and improvement programmes across the estate’s historic buildings. Gray’s Inn is one of the Inns of Court in London – the historic societies that educate and train barristers in England and Wales. This long-term collaboration is a testament to Axis’ experience in sensitive restoration, heritage workmanship and our ability to operate within live, high-expectation environments. Axis’ Heritage Team has previously completed extensive refurbishment and modernisation projects including:

• Modernisation project to the ground floor at South Square

• High-end refurbishment of a residential penthouse apartment suite

• Void reinstatement works

• Refurbishment project at Grade II listed The Dolls House

• Conversion of IT hub at Griffin Lodge led onsite by Shane Tracy, professional, collaborative