The stonemasons from Ian Knapper are proud of their contribution to The Queen's Diamond Jubilee Galleries at Westminster Abbey, which have this month (June) been recognised in the 2019 RIBA London Award for their contribution to architecture and design. 

With 2019 winners being announced across the country, it was in the London Region category of the RIBA Regional Awards that the project triumphed, with the awards judges citing the “sense of craftmanship with a contemporary aesthetic” as just one of the reasons for the award going to the project.

Led by MUMA, the design called for specialist skills and contractors to deliver its vision. Ian Knapper stonemasons were called in to deliver the centrepiece of the design in the form of Purbeck stone plinths that appear to hover above the floor with seamless glass cases rising flush with their bases, containing a variety of objects spanning a thousand years of history.

“It was a privilege to work on this project, which required precise craftmanship to produce the clean lines and exacting finish that was befitting the vision from MUMA,” said Ian Knapper, founder of business to which he has given his name. “We’re delighted with the end result... making a real statement in the space allowing us to continue the masonry masterpiece of the Abbey’s original gothic stonework.”

The project was delivered as part of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee and included the first major built addition to Westminster Abbey in more than 250 years. Sitting high above Westminster Abbey’s floor in the beautiful 13^th century triforium, it was designed to display the greatest treasures and tell the story of the Abbey’s millennium-long history.

In summary, the judges said: “MUMA considered it essential that the creation of a modern museum display - the technology of display, environmental control, light control, lighting, interpretation and showcases - should not undermine the quality of this space. Successful projects often need open-minded clients and in Westminster Abbey MUMA have found a patron with the foresight and ambition to commission them to both design and curate the exhibition. Bravo!”

Specialising in quality bespoke masonry from staircases and fireplaces to commissioned pieces, Ian Knapper’s team includes national and international award-winning masons who have built a reputation for delivering the best.