Architect Wright & Wright Architects
Location Lambeth Palace, London
Service Full Ironmongery Service
Date 2025
Photography Neil Kenyon
The Project
Lambeth Palace, official London residence of the Archbishop of Canterbury for more than 800 years, is one of the UK’s most significant Grade I-listed sites. Wright & Wright Architects led the sensitive refurbishment of the Blore Building and cloisters, addressing urgent repair needs while enhancing functionality, comfort, and long-term resilience.
Following their work on the award-winning Lambeth Palace Library in 2021, 3V Architectural Hardware were appointed to deliver an ironmongery specification that balanced heritage stewardship with modern performance, ensuring consistency across the Palace campus.
Much of the original ironmongery remains integral to the building’s character; therefore, every piece was carefully surveyed and assessed. Only items that could no longer perform their functional or compliance duties were replaced.
Original fittings that remained structurally sound were retained. This preserved significant embodied carbon and ensured the tactile authenticity of the historic building remained intact.
Where replacement could not be avoided, 3V selected ironmongery that complemented the architectural character while achieving modern performance levels.
New components were selected with refined profiles, traditional design cues, and robust construction to ensure longevity and seamless integration.
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For historic areas, chosen to harmonise with the naturally aged patina of existing ironmongery and the rich timber panelling, deep reds, and warm neutral tones that define the Palace interiors.
For the new restroom facilities, matching the contemporary specification used in the Lambeth Palace Library and distinguishing new spaces from historic ones.
