Hayles & Howe – Ornamental Plasterwork, Scagliola & Historic Plaster Conservation

Hayles & Howe Ltd is a specialist British company providing the design, manufacture, installation, conservation and restoration of ornamental plasterwork and scagliola. Founded in Bristol in 1978 by David Hayles, the practice combines traditional craft techniques with technical surveying, specialist conservation advice and contemporary architectural design. Its projects extend from individual historic interiors to major theatres, public buildings, churches, museums, country houses and international commissions.

For owners and custodians of historic buildings, architects, conservation professionals and contractors, Hayles & Howe offers particular expertise in the preservation of decorative plaster ceilings, cornices, ceiling roses, friezes, fibrous plaster features and marble-like scagliola finishes. Its services extend from initial condition inspection and research to detailed design, workshop manufacture, specialist installation and repair.

Historic Ornamental Plasterwork Conservation and Restoration

Hayles & Howe repairs and restores ornamental plasterwork ranging from individual mouldings to elaborate ceilings and complete decorative interiors. Project-specific assessments establish the condition of the existing fabric and its supporting structure, helping determine whether conservation, consolidation, partial repair or faithful reconstruction is appropriate.

Specialist ornamental plaster services include:

• Historic ornamental ceiling conservation and repair.
• Fibrous plaster inspection, stabilisation and restoration.
• Decorative cornice, frieze and ceiling rose repair.
• Replication of missing or damaged architectural mouldings.
• Reconstruction of historic plaster details from surviving fragments, drawings or photographs.
• Specialist plaster modelling, mould-making and casting.
• Repair of decorative panels, enrichments, bosses, capitals and architectural features.
• Conservation of plasterwork in listed and publicly accessible buildings.

Fibrous Plaster Ceiling Inspections and Theatre Conservation

Hayles & Howe has particular expertise in theatres and other public buildings with elaborate suspended fibrous plaster ceilings. Such ceilings can incorporate plaster panels, timber supports, canvas and historic suspension systems, making the investigation of concealed conditions an important part of their care.

The company's inspection and consultancy services consider the ceiling's decorative surfaces, supporting structure, roof voids and relevant environmental conditions. Assessment may include deterioration caused by dampness, poor ventilation, biological growth, failing connections and other factors affecting the long-term condition of fibrous plaster assemblies.

Hayles & Howe provides advice, inspections and recommendations for repair and ongoing monitoring, supporting responsible building management and conservation planning. Any required inspection or certification regime should be agreed with the relevant qualified professionals and building operator.

Scagliola Manufacture, Conservation and Restoration

Scagliola is a highly specialised decorative technique using plaster, pigments and other constituents to produce polished, richly coloured surfaces, frequently resembling natural marble. It may be used for columns, pilasters, wall panels, table tops, door surrounds, pedestals and architectural enrichments.

Hayles & Howe designs, manufactures, installs and conserves both traditional and marezzo scagliola. Founder David Hayles has been closely associated with the development and teaching of specialist scagliola skills. The company undertakes restoration in historic buildings and makes bespoke new components for traditional and contemporary settings.

Scagliola services include:

• Condition assessment and conservation planning for historic scagliola.
• Careful cleaning and treatment of deteriorated decorative surfaces.
• Repair of losses, cracks and earlier defective repairs.
• Matching original colour, marbling, figure and surface finish.
• Polishing and protective finishes where appropriate to the condition of the material.
• Manufacture of bespoke scagliola columns, pilasters, panels and decorative features.
• Traditional and marezzo scagliola for new architectural interiors.

Conservation treatments are informed by preliminary surveys and, where appropriate, sample repairs to establish a compatible approach. The company distinguishes between necessary intervention and less invasive treatments intended to preserve historic appearance and material.

Traditional Lath and Lime Plastering

Traditional lime plaster is important to the performance and character of many historic buildings. Its use requires an understanding of the substrate, the existing plaster composition, moisture behaviour and the repair techniques appropriate to the building.

Hayles & Howe undertakes conservation of historic lime plaster finishes, repairs to lath-and-plaster construction and the application of successive coats of lime-based plaster to appropriate backgrounds. Its services include securing failing historic plaster, patch repairs, haired lime plastering and replacement of defective traditional renders.

The company can provide consultancy and written recommendations before work begins. Suitable repair materials and techniques are selected with regard to the significance, condition and construction of the existing fabric.

Architectural Plaster Design, Modelling and Manufacture

In addition to conservation, Hayles & Howe provides bespoke and catalogue-based ornamental plasterwork for new buildings, alterations and period interiors. Its designers, modellers and skilled plaster craftspeople work across historical and contemporary architectural styles.

Its range includes cornices, ceiling roses, frieze plates, decorative ceilings, enrichments and other architectural mouldings. The firm can reproduce existing profiles or develop new designs to meet the architect's and client's requirements.

Reproduction and Reconstruction of Lost Decorative Features

When significant ornamental plaster is missing or severely damaged, Hayles & Howe can undertake research, modelling and reproduction. Surviving material, historic photographs and documentary evidence may provide the basis for reconstructing details that are no longer intact.

This capability is particularly relevant to interiors damaged by fire or water, or to the reinstatement of architectural features removed during previous alterations. The distinction between original historic material and reconstructed elements should be recorded as appropriate to the conservation brief.

Paint Stripping and Restoration of Original Detail

Repeated paint applications can obscure the modelling of ceiling roses, cornices and friezes. Hayles & Howe offers specialist stripping and restoration services intended to recover the legibility of historic ornament where treatment is technically appropriate.

Any stripping method should be selected following assessment of the substrate, decorative finishes and potential historic paint layers, especially where original decoration may have heritage significance.

3D Laser Scanning and Digital Building Recording

Hayles & Howe offers 3D laser scanning to support building investigation, recording, design and maintenance. This technology captures accurate spatial information and provides digital records that can assist with complex historic interiors and otherwise difficult-to-reach areas.

Services described by the company include point-cloud capture, measured information, reflected ceiling plans, elevations, photographic outputs and interactive visualisations. Digital records can be useful for conservation discussions, project coordination and the documentation of building condition over time.

For historic theatres and substantial plaster ceilings, digital scanning may help consultants examine geometry and plan appropriate access or remedial works before intervention.

Jesmonite Architectural Components

The company also manufactures decorative components using Jesmonite, a versatile composite material suitable for selected interior and exterior architectural applications. Its uses include ornate mouldings, decorative profiles and sculptural features where design requirements favour a lightweight formed component.

Conservation Consultancy and Specialist Project Support

Hayles & Howe works with architects, conservation consultants, main contractors, theatre operators and building owners to develop practical approaches to complicated decorative plasterwork projects. Services may include site visits, specialist condition assessments, technical advice, design proposals, survey reporting, repair recommendations and coordination with the wider project team.

Selected Historic Building and Cultural Projects

Hayles & Howe's published portfolio demonstrates experience across prominent historic and cultural buildings.

• Bath Assembly Rooms: reconstruction and renewal of elaborate decorative plaster ceilings, including strapwork, coves and hand-plastered areas; the project received the Plaisterers' Trophy.
• Royal Opera House, London: specialist inspection and repair of decorative plasterwork within the auditorium, including balcony fronts and features above the stage.
• Dominion Theatre, London: conservation and refurbishment work at the Grade II listed theatre, combining traditional plaster skills with contemporary techniques.
• Blackpool Tower Ballroom: repairs associated with the decorative proscenium arch and the structure behind historic plasterwork.
• Anglican Chapel, Arnos Vale Cemetery, Bristol: extensive lime plaster conservation and restoration work within the Grade I listed Victorian chapel.
• Greenway House, Devon: a National Trust project involving specialist rendering restoration.
• Tusmore House, Oxfordshire: high-quality scagliola columns and pilasters recognised by the Humber Silver Salver.

These project examples illustrate the company's experience in the repair of significant historic fabric, reproduction of decorative detail and production of specialist plaster finishes.

Traditional Skills, Craft Training and Quality Management

Established by David Hayles in 1978, the business has developed specialist workshops and a team spanning design, modelling, manufacture, installation and conservation. It reports historical awards including the Queen's Award for International Trade, the Plaisterers' Trophy and the Humber Silver Salver, together with Investors in People Silver recognition.

The company describes the use of ISO quality management procedures, including ISO 9001:2015. Current certification and professional affiliations should be confirmed directly before reliance upon particular accreditation claims.

Historic Fabric, Sustainable Repair and Long-Term Care

Retaining and repairing existing decorative plaster can be an important part of conservation-led refurbishment. Where original material remains serviceable, careful assessment, local consolidation and skilled repair can avoid unnecessary wholesale replacement while preserving craftsmanship and historic significance.

Hayles & Howe's combined knowledge of traditional lime and fibrous plaster, decorative modelling and scagliola supports such an approach. Methods are selected in response to the condition of each building and its significance rather than assuming that a single technique suits every situation.

Clients and Buildings Served

Hayles & Howe works with private owners, architects, conservation practitioners, developers, contractors, public authorities and heritage organisations. Typical projects include listed houses, historic theatres, museums, galleries, churches, chapels, assembly rooms, palaces, public buildings and bespoke contemporary interiors.

Service Area and Contact

Based in Bristol, the company undertakes projects across the United Kingdom and internationally. An associated business, Hayles and Howe Inc., operates from Baltimore, Maryland, in the United States.

Hayles & Howe Ltd
7 Flowers Hill, Brislington, Bristol, BS4 5JJ, United Kingdom

Telephone: 0117 972 7200
Email: info@haylesandhowe.co.uk
Website: www.haylesandhowe.com