Associated Steel Window Services (ASWS) recently welcomed students from London Design and Engineering UTC to site at 21–29 Glasshouse Street, offering hands‑on insight into the specialist skills involved in heritage window refurbishment. The visit formed part of the students’ Designing the Built Environment studies and was delivered in collaboration with BAM Construction.
During the site walk‑through, the students gained first‑hand experience of what it truly means to work on a live construction project. The ASWS team explained each stage of the refurbishment process, including the removal, tagging and off‑site sandblasting of steel windows, before reinstatement, glazing and decoration. The session also covered the full scope of timber window refurbishment, with students learning about Repair Care resin techniques – and even completing a repair themselves to take away.
BAM Site Manager Caitlin Cronin explained: “The students gave great feedback on the workshop and were keen for other subcontractors to follow ASWS’s lead when they return in June. The hands‑on experience put design and planning into real perspective, and they were thrilled to keep their repair sample.
From my point of view, buildability is one of the most important aspects to appreciate in the built environment. The ASWS workshop exemplified this, and BAM is very thankful for the time taken to explain the intricacies of window refurbishment. Supply‑chain engagement like this will help accelerate the students’ development.”
Through initiatives like this, ASWS continues to support the next generation of construction and conservation professionals – sharing knowledge, championing craftsmanship, and helping bridge the gap between design education and practical delivery. For more information on ASWS, please visit https://asws.co.uk/services/
