Projects
Venetian Arch Square Bay
Projects
Venetian Arch Square Bay
Project overview
Location
Derbyshire, England
Date
TBC
Architect
Montague Architects
Builder
Hardwick Coleman & Whotton
Products used
A striking bespoke Venetian arch square bay system engineered to combine classical architectural elegance with complex structural performance.
The Venetian Arch Square Bay project required a highly bespoke structural lintel solution to create an impressive entrance porch feature for a private residence in Derbyshire.
Keystone’s bespoke square bay lintel system delivered concealed structural support, integrated arch detailing and precision-engineered strength for heavy masonry and stone loads.
Designed in collaboration with Montague Architects and contractor Hardwick Coleman & Whotton, the project combined complex masonry detailing with substantial structural loading requirements.
To bring the architect’s vision to life, Keystone engineer Andy Sharlot developed a bespoke square bay support system incorporating full arches to each side elevation and a Venetian arch to the front elevation. The completed structure created a dramatic architectural focal point while supporting an entire storey of masonry construction above.
The project demonstrates Keystone’s capability to engineer complex custom masonry support systems tailored precisely to demanding architectural specifications.
The architect’s design centred around a highly decorative entrance porch incorporating a square bay arrangement with multiple arch forms and substantial stone detailing. The visual intent was to create a striking classical-style entrance feature that would become the defining element of the property façade.
However, the structural requirements behind the architectural feature introduced significant engineering complexity.
The bespoke lintel system needed to:
- Support a full storey constructed from a 300mm wide cavity wall.
- Carry 580mm wide reconstituted stone beneath the lintel system.
- Integrate multiple arch geometries within a single bay structure.
- Maintain precise alignment between the steel support and stonework.
- Conceal the structural support system within the finished façade
Because of the complexity of the stone detailing and arch geometry, close coordination between the contractor, architect and stone manufacturer was essential from the earliest stages of the project. Any inaccuracies in fabrication or dimensional coordination could have affected both installation and the finished appearance.
Keystone engineer Andy Sharlot carried out onsite consultations with the contractor and the reconstituted stone manufacturer to ensure the structural steel design integrated perfectly with the bespoke stone elements.
Following these consultations, Keystone designed a completely bespoke square bay lintel system incorporating:
- Full arches to both side legs of the bay.
- A Venetian arch to the front elevation.
- Structural support capable of carrying a full masonry storey above.
- Integrated support for heavy decorative stone elements beneath the lintel.
- The lintel system was precision engineered and manufactured offsite to exact project dimensions, ensuring all steel sections, arch profiles and stone interfaces aligned accurately during installation.
Keystone’s specialist expertise in bespoke arch, bay and corner lintels allowed the complex geometry of the design to be fully realised while maintaining the structural integrity required to support the substantial masonry loads.
The completed Venetian Arch Square Bay creates a visually striking entrance feature that combines classical architectural detailing with concealed modern structural engineering.
The bespoke lintel system allowed the contractor to install the feature efficiently onsite, with all stone elements fitting accurately during construction. The finished porch now acts as a focal point for the property, delivering the grandeur and craftsmanship envisioned by the architect while providing long-term structural reliability.
The project highlights Keystone’s ability to transform highly ambitious architectural concepts into practical and buildable structural solutions through bespoke engineering and close project collaboration.
Key Benefits
- Bespoke square bay lintel with Venetian arch detailing
- Full arch supports to side elevations
- Structural support for a full masonry storey above
- Integrated support for 580mm wide stone features
- Precision-engineered offsite manufacture
- Close collaboration with architect and stone manufacturer
- Concealed structural support preserving architectural aesthetics
- The Venetian Arch Square Bay project demonstrates Keystone’s expertise in delivering highly specialised structural lintel systems for architecturally demanding residential developments
By combining bespoke engineering, precision fabrication and collaborative technical support, Keystone successfully created a complex masonry support solution that preserved the elegance of the architectural design while delivering the structural performance required for long-term durability.
The completed project stands as an example of how innovative steel lintel engineering can enable ambitious architectural detailing without compromising buildability, precision or structural safety.
To bring the architect’s vision to life, Keystone engineer Andy Sharlot developed a bespoke square bay support system incorporating full arches to each side elevation and a Venetian arch to the front elevation. The completed structure created a dramatic architectural focal point while supporting an entire storey of masonry construction above.
The project demonstrates Keystone’s capability to engineer complex custom masonry support systems tailored precisely to demanding architectural specifications.
The architect’s design centred around a highly decorative entrance porch incorporating a square bay arrangement with multiple arch forms and substantial stone detailing. The visual intent was to create a striking classical-style entrance feature that would become the defining element of the property façade.
However, the structural requirements behind the architectural feature introduced significant engineering complexity.
The bespoke lintel system needed to:
- Support a full storey constructed from a 300mm wide cavity wall.
- Carry 580mm wide reconstituted stone beneath the lintel system.
- Integrate multiple arch geometries within a single bay structure.
- Maintain precise alignment between the steel support and stonework.
- Conceal the structural support system within the finished façade
Because of the complexity of the stone detailing and arch geometry, close coordination between the contractor, architect and stone manufacturer was essential from the earliest stages of the project. Any inaccuracies in fabrication or dimensional coordination could have affected both installation and the finished appearance.
Keystone engineer Andy Sharlot carried out onsite consultations with the contractor and the reconstituted stone manufacturer to ensure the structural steel design integrated perfectly with the bespoke stone elements.
Following these consultations, Keystone designed a completely bespoke square bay lintel system incorporating:
Full arches to both side legs of the bay.
A Venetian arch to the front elevation.
Structural support capable of carrying a full masonry storey above.
Integrated support for heavy decorative stone elements beneath the lintel.
The lintel system was precision engineered and manufactured offsite to exact project dimensions, ensuring all steel sections, arch profiles and stone interfaces aligned accurately during installation.
Keystone’s specialist expertise in bespoke arch, bay and corner lintels allowed the complex geometry of the design to be fully realised while maintaining the structural integrity required to support the substantial masonry loads.
The completed Venetian Arch Square Bay creates a visually striking entrance feature that combines classical architectural detailing with concealed modern structural engineering.
The bespoke lintel system allowed the contractor to install the feature efficiently onsite, with all stone elements fitting accurately during construction. The finished porch now acts as a focal point for the property, delivering the grandeur and craftsmanship envisioned by the architect while providing long-term structural reliability.
The project highlights Keystone’s ability to transform highly ambitious architectural concepts into practical and buildable structural solutions through bespoke engineering and close project collaboration.
Key Benefits
- Bespoke square bay lintel with Venetian arch detailing
- Full arch supports to side elevations
- Structural support for a full masonry storey above
- Integrated support for 580mm wide stone features
- Precision-engineered offsite manufacture
- Close collaboration with architect and stone manufacturer
- Concealed structural support preserving architectural aesthetics
- The Venetian Arch Square Bay project demonstrates Keystone’s expertise in delivering highly specialised structural lintel systems for architecturally demanding residential developments
By combining bespoke engineering, precision fabrication and collaborative technical support, Keystone successfully created a complex masonry support solution that preserved the elegance of the architectural design while delivering the structural performance required for long-term durability.
The completed project stands as an example of how innovative steel lintel engineering can enable ambitious architectural detailing without compromising buildability, precision or structural safety.
