Wednesday, December 7, 2011

Dorchester Abbey choir stalls

This is the beginning of a record of work in progress for the new Choir Stalls for Dorchester Abbey. The following photos were taken at our workshop on Monday 5th of December 2011 by James Willis, one the craftsmen involved in the project. I will produce a more comprehensive reocrd later but in the meantime I hope you enjoy the images shown below. 

The making team at Philip Koomen Furniture. left-to-right: Steve Salt, James Willis, Jody Koomen, Philip Koomen and Linn Narare (intern)

Detailed drawings showing "Flying reader" and some carving designs
Drawing of main interior view of the choir stall
Linn and Steve with the choir stalls framesand end panels
Finished end panels. Also showing the mock-ups for the bench and kneelers
The end panels' recesses for the carved motifs
Philip with one of the carved sun motifs that will be fitted into the end panel recess, before it is shaped (circle) to fit!
Detail of lettering and sun motif
Detail of the front view of a choir stall showing gothic lattice design
A total of 48 panels were made for the choir stalls frames
Philip and James discuss the jointing method of the benches
The bench seats have been profiled to create a superior level of comfort for the choir!
Selected pieces of timber for the kneeler legs
Steve working on the book rests
Frames for the book and music sheets rests

Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Soon I hope to start making regular blog entries to show, especially, recent work and work in progress. In particular I'd like to show development and progress of the Dorchester Abbey choir stalls, which Philip Koomen Furniture aim to complete by the end of March 2012.