Our History

Windsor Workshop was founded by sculptor Steve Furlonger, who runs the business together with his son, Sam, and wife, Miri.

The business started in 1966 whilst Steve was an artist working in a warehouse space on Tabernacle Street, where he would occasionally take on commercial work. A close working relationship with design agency Sedley Place (based in Clapham) lead Steve to move into an adjoining workshop space formerly known as ‘Windsor Works’ in 1987, where Windsor Workshop was officially born.

Steve retired from teaching (Head of Fine Art, Central St. Martins) in 1998 to concentrate on the business full-time. In 2005, Steve's sons, Sam and Luke joined the business. Sam was returning from teaching Outward Bound in New Zealand whilst Luke had been working in the film industry as a prop and model maker. Their experience and hard work, coupled with Steve’s creativity, lead to Windsor Workshop expanding year on year. The business moved to it’s current home in 2008, a large new industrial premises in Streatham.

Today, Luke has moved to focus on building his house whilst Sam, Steve and Miri’s team now includes Ian Daniell (Project Manager) and a host of talented freelance makers such as regulars Andy Munnery and Oliver Wade.

 

About Us

We realise the ideas of Architects, Designers, Artists and Museum curators. We are a family business which over the years has developed into a community of makers with an extensive range of skills, with our roots in art and design. We are unusual in that we can offer clients either individual services to help them realise their projects on their journey, or offer a complete service from Design right through to installation. Notable clients have been Sedley Place, and the British Museum. In 2012 we made the London Olympic Podiums for Scott Fleary, we also made work for AL_A, Wilkinson Eyre Architects and a series of life-size figures for Athlone Castle Museum. Please see our blog or follow us on instagram to see our most recent work.

Design

Our background means we offer a unique service designing or callaborating with architects, designers or artists to help them put flesh on their ideas, with a conceptual, aesthetic AND practical understanding. We can produce highly realistic CAD renders, technical drawings and make models to assist the design process. We have designed products, furniture, interiors, museum displays and collaborated on many more.

CNC Machining

We have developed some innovative techniques and offer a bespoke service for each and every project. Our sculpture background and engineering expertise allow us to machine large sculptural shapes either as patterns, or as finished objects in their own right. We are able to machine a variety of materials to produce objects both cost effectively and in parts that self locate to form large and intricate forms.

Fabrication

We are able to offer a range of fabrication processes:

  • Joinery, acrylic and plastics construction, also steel work for light weight interior structures and furniture.
  • Thermo forming.
  • We can produce patterns in all types and densities of foam or polystyrene and some woods.
  • We mould and cast in fibre glass (GRP), plaster (GRG,) concrete, simulated stone (Jesmonite), simulated metal (GRP or GRG) and bronze and aluminum.
  • We accept or create in-house 3d models which are worked with in Rhino or Solidworks. We also use Z-Brush (a more sculptural 3d program).
  • We CNC mill.
  • Up to certain size restrictions we spray in-house and have a very good relationship with specialist sprayers for larger or more demanding work.

Over the years we have outsourced and now have good relationships with companies who will provide:

  • Vacuum metalising
  • Electro-plating
  • Engineering in ferrous and non ferrous metals
  • Casting in acrylic
  • Casting in glass
  • Thermoforming on a large scale

Installation

We have installed work for the British Museum, numerous other museums and art galleries, architects, construction companies and shop window designers. We are familiar with art handling and conservation display, as well as understanding the importance of excellent presentation and finish.