The bandstand; Clapham Common, London

WHY: The bandstand was on the English Heritage endangered building list. It had not been overhauled since the mid-1970s and had deteriorated badly. The zinc roof had failed, rainwater pipes were blocked and the cast-iron structure had decayed.

HOW: Traditional materials and techniques had to be used, English Heritage said. But it appeared the right skills no longer existed in England. The complicated zinc work for the roof was therefore procured from France, while the cast-iron balustrading came from India. All balustrades were replaced and the rusting spandrels were replicated. The cupola was also replaced, as was the podium decking, and the performers’ changing rooms were refurbished. The bandstand was re-rigged up to the electricity supply and toilet connections were added in order for Clapham Common to stage large events.

CHALLENGES: The project suffered two major thefts on site. Both times electrical cable was taken. The second theft was particularly bad, with 400m of copper cable lost.

HOW MUCH: £950,000, provided by Friends of Clapham Common, Clapham Society and London Borough of Lambeth.

CONTRACT: JCT 98

WHEN: The project was recently completed, having taken a little over the six months originally planned.

WHO: Client: London Borough of Lambeth, QS: Press & Starkey, architect: Dannatt Johnson, main contractor: Killby & Gayford, structural engineer: Alan Baxter & Associates, M&E engineer: Engineering Design, landscape architect: Colvin & Moggridge.

QS VIEW: “Everything had to be done in the traditional style. It was a nice project to work on because it attracted lots of interest from local people” – Peter Wilson, partner, Press & Starkey