Ironart was established in Bath in 1967 and the workshop is located in Larkhall, very close to the city centre. Bath’s status as a world heritage city offers a wealth of opportunities to work with classical and period architecture. Ironart works with a mixture of private and professional clients ,including architects, interior designers, landscape gardeners, developers and councils. Ironart has been owned and run by Andy Thearle since 2006. He originally joined Ironart as a Craft/Design graduate from the University of Wolverhampton in 1994. Having gained valuable skills working with architectural ironwork in Bath, he went on to complete his apprenticeship in Melbourne, Australia. In Melbourne he was able to accept his first private commissions and to explore more contemporary designs before returning to Bath in 2000. Ironart currently employs a team of eight loyal and dedicated craftsmen many of whom have worked with the company for years. Whilst Andy has the ability to combine aesthetics and mathematics other team members bring complimentary skills. Between them, Andy and his team offer many and varied skills including:
The ability to design both beautiful and technical ironwork
Traditional metalworking skills
Expert fitting and a reputation for successfully resolving difficult connections on site.
Restoration and repair expertise: the skill to replicate parts and to solder or weld most metals
The Ironart team are regularly employed to look after Bath’s historic ironwork. They are equally happy to receive enquiries from clients needing to work within a tight budget. Ironart has recently launched a collection of wrought iron furniture and pieces for the garden which are available through the website. The seating collection is based on period designs and constructed from reeded steel traditionally used in many iron benches.
“We enjoy our reputation as a service to Bath’s ironwork. Because we are based in a world heritage city with so much historic ironwork and with such a strong Georgian architectural aesthetic we will always be committed to this as a core to our business. However almost every member of the team has a personal interest in sculpture and contemporary design, and we relish all opportunities to get involved with fresh and innovative projects.”
