The Senate House is the ceremonial centre of the University of Cambridge, where new graduates receive their degrees. Designed by James Gibbs in 1722 it is conceived as a classical temple of the Corinthian order. The entablature is highly decorated with dentils, egg and dart, waterleaf and acanthus modillions interspersed with paterae. The major restoration of the roofline in 1999 was a great opportunity for us carvers to get really familiar with this style as much of the detail was renewed. This project won the Stone Federation Award for Restoration in 2000.
The Old Schools facade, set at right angles to the Senate House to form 2 sides of a classical quadrangle was designed by Wright in 1754. Restoration of the parapets in 1995 called for recarving of the urns and vases set above the die stones.