Ornamental Plasterwork and Scagliola
Hayles & Howe

16 May 2006

Hayles and Howe Ltd Ornamental Plasterers were awarded Investor in People on Friday 28 April 2006 at Leigh Court Business Centre. The Managing Director David Harrison and Bob Lewis, Technical Director received the award from Neil Higginson, Advisory Services Manager for Business Link West.

The company has worked hard over the years to become a recognised Investor in People organisation. The men and women at Hayles and Howe are a fun, focused and hard working team who are intent on learning new skills whilst continuing to ensure that the highest standards of workmanship are maintained for themselves and their customers. Hayles and Howe have over the last few years concentrated on devising a training programme for all employees and are particularly pleased with the development of an apprenticeship scheme in liaison with the CITB and Bristol Colleges. The company has worked as a team to develop initiatives and systems in order to demonstrate commitment to its people and business goals.

Hayles and Howe was established in 1978 in Bristol, as the company expanded so did the development and innovation of a wide range of skills whilst ensuring and maintaining high standards of quality. They have won many awards including The Queens Award for International Trade in 2003 and three Plaisterer's Trophies (the highest achievement in fibrous plaster), two Crabbe Trophies and now three Humber Silver Salvers. These awards recognise the expertise of the Hayles and Howe workforce and help to build confidence and unity within the company.

Hayles and Howe
25 Picton Street
Montpelier
Bristol
BS6 5PZ

0117 9246673

Jenny Harrison - Marketing Manager

Location: Paintworks Exhibition space, Paintworks, Bath Rd, Bristol, BS4 3EH

Dates: 17th-24th June, running as part of Architecture Week 2006

Times of opening: Contact the administrator Joanna Plimmer.

Schedule of Events in PDF format.

Plasterwork can be one of the elements of an interior which go unnoticed. Cornices, ceiling roses and other decorative elements are common in many of our homes, but often recede into the fabric of a room; 'become part of the furniture'. However ornamental plasterwork has a long tradition of making bold and striking decorative statements and adapting to the architectural styles and tastes of the day.

This exhibition is the result of a collaborative project between ornamental plasterwork company Hayles & Howe and artist/designer-maker Justin Marshall. The project was focused around an investigation into the integration of digital production technologies (i.e. machines which are controlled by the computer) into the traditional working processes used in the production of decorative plasterwork.

The exhibition combines craft and technology, the traditional and the contemporary. It will showcase both traditional plasterwork techniques and the use of digital technologies. However it is not just a static exhibition, but an opportunity to see skilled modelers and plasterers at work alongside computer controlled equipment; digits v digital.

Hayles and Howe will be showcasing a large scale and highly decorative niche.

Other works designed by Justin will evolve and grow throughout the period of the exhibition, building up to a completed range of new plasterwork designs appropriate to contemporary contexts.

Hayles & Howe Ltd is an internationally renowned ornamental plasterwork company based in Bristol. They undertake restoration and new build projects and have been involved in many prestigious projects, including work on Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle. Visit www.haylesandhowe.com for more information.

Justin Marshall is an artist and designer-maker. He is currently a Research Fellow at University College Falmouth where he is investigating the use of digital design and production technologies as tools for extending the creative practices of designer-makers and craft practitioners. Examples of his work can be found a www.justinmarshall.co.uk and www.autonomatic.org.uk

This exhibition has been funded by: University College Falmouth, Hayles & Howe, Arts Council England and Arts & Business.

For further information please contact the project administrator Joanna Plimmer: jo.plimmer@btinternet.com

Hayles and Howe Ltd., Ornamental Plasterers and Scagliola* specialists were awarded the 'Humber Silver Salver' 2004 for Fibrous plastering at the annual Plaisterers' Trophy Awards on the 1st February 2005. The Managing Director Mr David Harrison and the Technical Director Mr Robert Lewis accepted this prestigious award from the president of the Federation of Plaisterers Mr Brian Woolnough and guest speaker, Mr David Mellor.

The award was given for work carried out in Tusmore House a brand new Palladian style house constructed by Holloway White Allom. The Architects for the project were Whitfield Lockwood Architects and Johnston Cave Associates.

The work was carried out in the centre piece of the house, a shaft of space penetrating the building vertically. Within the ground floor, Hayles and Howe manufactured and installed eight columns 5.7 fluted Corinthian sienna Scagliola* which support the first floor gallery. The columns are believed to be the tallest produced since the 1800's. Above the capitals there is a frieze, also in sienna Scagliola*, above the balcony frieze are eight urns in white Scagliola* with sienna swags, set in sections on vertical steel posts. Four apses, 5 metres high and 3 metres wide complete an absolutely magnificent reception area.

The judge's comments included the following: 'The work carried out showed the best in creative, operative and innovative skills of which the Specialist Contractor should be understandably proud'.

Tusmore House has already been declared the best new building in the classical tradition at the annual Georgian Awards in November 2004. Particular reference was made to the quality of Hayles and Howe's Scagliola columns in the central rotunda, comparing the work with the finest craftsmanship of the imperial palaces of St Petersburg.

Hayles and Howe was established in 1978 in Bristol, as the company expanded so did the development and innovation of a wide range of skills whilst ensuring and maintaining high standards of quality. They have won many awards including The Queens Award for International Trade in 2003 and three Plaisterer's Trophies (The highest achievement in fibrous plaster), two Crabbe Trophies and now three Humber Silver Salvers. These awards recognise the expertise of the Hayles and Howe workforce and help to build confidence and unity within the company.

^*Scagliola is a composite material made from pigments, plaster and glue that when combined and burnished faithfully emulates the unique qualities of polished marble. The first complete scagliola interior was The Riche Chapel, Munich, in 1603 and since the late Renaissance Scagliola has been used in many palaces, stately homes and public buildings. Due to its durability, much of it is still in excellent condition.

END

JPEG available upon request

Background notes:

Managing Director: David Harrison, who is also Vice-Chairman of the Fibrous Plaster Training Committee at the Federation of Plastering and Drywall Contractors

Company name: Hayles & Howe Limited
Main markets: USA, Canada, Europe, Japan
Number of Personnel: about 100
Web site: www.haylesandhowe.co.uk
Email: info@haylesandhowe.co.uk
Telephone: +44 (0)117 924 6673

Enterprise in a traditional craft

Hayles & Howe, ornamental plasterers and scagliola specialists, are a Bristol-based company who are making their mark worldwide. Started as a partnership in 1978 by David Hayles and Dixon Howe, they were joined shortly afterwards by current managing director David Harrison.

The original business was set up to make traditional plaster cornices and ceiling roses, and this led to small local restoration projects. During this time the specialist skills they developed became highly sought-after and projects came in from London and the Home Counties.

By the mid 1980s, Hayles & Howe were taking on projects in the Middle East and North Africa and their capabilities had extended to bespoke plasterwork - columns, arches and decorated ceilings.

Their interest in scagliola was sparked by a contract in the late 1980s for massive scagliola columns in a Sydney banking hall. David Hayles, one of the directors, had been interested in this ancient technique of 'plaster marble' for some time and is currently one of the world's top authorities.

Scagliola had been a popular material for prestigious buildings in America and work began to come in from there. The first was the restoration of New Jersey State Capitol, followed by a mix of ornamental plasterwork and scagliola at the Postal Square Building in Washington. The emergence of this area as a market for Hayles & Howe prompted the setting-up of their sister company, based in Baltimore. During the 1990s they successfully completed huge restoration projects, particularly of railway stations and theatres across America.

They have recently completed work on a large private residence in Canada and exported a large order to Japan. Their work can be seen in the ceilings of Euro Disney in France, in many stately homes, and in the columns of the new Queen's Gallery at Buckingham Palace.

Their work has been recognised in the UK by the award of four Plaisterers Trophies and two Crabbe awards. The Queen's Award for Enterprise: International Trade 2003 recognises the contribution they have made worldwide both in keeping the ancient crafts alive and in satisfying new markets. Hayles & Howe continue to train new craftsmen. And while the company is constantly looking for ever more challenging projects at home and abroad, they continue to supply cornices and ceiling roses for properties in Bristol.

David Harrison says: "This award is a tribute to all of our team. Our site craftsmen and craftswomen who spend a great deal of time working away from home, our co-ordination teams in Bristol and Baltimore, and our modellers and craftspeople in our workshops who do such fantastically skilled work."

David Harrison says: "One of my main interests is in theatre restoration. The suspension of disbelief starts with the decor and recreating the whimseys of the original architect can be a lot of fun. On top of this, live theatre focusses the project - these are real deadlines!"

END

Background notes:

Managing Director: David Harrison, who is also Vice-Chairman of the Fibrous Plaster Training Committee at the Federation of Plastering and Drywall Contractors

Company name: Hayles & Howe Limited
Main markets: USA, Canada, Europe, Japan
Number of Personnel: about 100
Web site: www.haylesandhowe.co.uk
Email: info@haylesandhowe.co.uk
Telephone: +44 (0)117 924 6673