Clement EB steel windows were specified for Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s former home, Undershaw, during its refurbishment and conversion by the David Forbes-Nixon Charitable Foundation for Stepping Stones School.

Undershaw was the home of Sherlock Holmes creator, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, from 1897 until 1907.

The original red brick house was designed by architect Joseph Henry Ball, in the ‘Surrey-vernacular’ style. Conan Doyle commissioned the house as somewhere his wife, ‘Touie’, who was suffering from tuberculosis could convalesce and the windows were deliberately large and south facing so that she could benefit from the light.

Main Contractor O&D Construction from Godalming chose Clement steel windows to replicate the original fenestration, and Waverley Borough Council’s Conservation Officer approved the choice for this sensitive restoration.

“The client wanted to make sure that the building could still be ‘read’ as it was in Conan Doyle’s day and to be as true to the original as possible,” said Michael O’Brien of O&D Construction.

“The windows by Clement faithfully replicate the originals, letting in as much natural daylight as possible, providing a spacious, bright and positive environment for the students.”

Great care was taken to ensure a perfect colour match with the original frames, and even a specialist silicone was chosen to complete the look

Duplex handles were fitted to some of the windows for ease of reach, together with restrictors for safety.

Photography by Laura Kelly, LSK Photo.