SG Iron Lampposts for Regent’s Park
Lampposts cast
Length each
Material
Process
Client
Crown Estate Paving Commission
Project partners
RG Webber Ltd (installation), Allwick Patterns Ltd (CAD)
Location
Outer Circle, Regent's Park, London
Sector
Architectural and Heritage
Services
Sand casting, reverse engineering, 3D scan to CAD, bespoke pattern making
Status
Installed
The Challenge
We were approached by the Crown Estate Paving Commission to produce a series of SG iron lampposts for the Outer Circle of Regent's Park, one of London's most historically significant public spaces.
The lampposts needed to faithfully replicate the existing heritage design while incorporating the newly introduced King Charles crest. The brief presented an immediate practical challenge: there were no original patterns, CAD models, or technical drawings available. The entire design would need to be reverse engineered from structures still standing on site.
The lampposts also needed to be adapted to house modern electrical components, requiring careful engineering that could not compromise the traditional aesthetic.
Our Solution
With no technical data to work from, we began with a full 3D scan of an original lamppost that had been removed from site. The scan data was carefully processed to remove decades of paint build-up, wear, and historic repairs, producing a clean and accurate CAD model from which we could work.
From that model, we engineered a bespoke casting solution including a running and gating system designed to handle the exceptional length and geometric complexity of these pieces. Ensuring complete mould fill and structural integrity in a casting exceeding four metres requires a carefully considered approach to metal flow, and the system we developed achieved this reliably across all three units.
All production was carried out at our Aylesford foundry, maintaining close quality control throughout and allowing us to respond quickly to any design or production requirements as the project developed.
Collaboration and Delivery
This was a multi-partner project requiring clear communication and a shared understanding of both the heritage requirements and the engineering constraints. We worked alongside the Crown Estate Paving Commission, installation specialists RG Webber Ltd, and CAD specialists Allwick Patterns Ltd throughout, ensuring that all elements of the project aligned: from the accuracy of the replica design and the structural performance of the castings to installation tolerances and surface finishing.
The Result
We successfully produced three SG iron lampposts, each exceeding four metres in length. Following casting, the lampposts were assembled, finished, and installed along one of Regent's Park's principal routes, where they are seen by millions of visitors each year.
They are indistinguishable from the original heritage design and incorporate all the modern functional requirements the brief demanded.
This project represents the kind of work we do particularly well: complex casting from limited information, in environments where accuracy, quality, and respect for the original design are non-negotiable. The absence of original drawings was not an obstacle. For us, it was simply the starting point.