From Beam to Bowl: Repurposing with Purpose - Barnes Construction

At Barnes Construction, whenever we deliver a project, we have great respect for our clients, for craftsmanship, and for the heritage of the buildings we are trusted to maintain. And, sometimes, that respect leads to unexpected opportunities to create something truly special.

At Clare College, Cambridge, we have been privileged to work on a number of projects. Most recently, the team was tasked with carrying out repairs to the slate roof of Old Court, a remarkable building that has stood the test of time for over four centuries.

Old Court is no ordinary setting. It is one of the few Cambridge College courts that were founded before 1800, to have preserved its architectural integrity, and it remains largely unchanged since the seventeenth century.

During the course of its work on the roof, the construction team identified a three-metre section of oak beam that was no longer structurally sound. Carefully removed as part of the repair process, the beam is thought to have been part of the building for at least 400 years, maybe longer. Traditionally, material such as this would be disposed of, but for us, that didn’t feel quite right. Instead, we saw an opportunity.

Rather than letting a piece of Clare College’s history go to waste, we set out to give it a new life. The idea was simple but meaningful in execution: to repurpose the historic timber into something lasting, beautiful and personal, a keepsake that could be returned to the College itself.

To bring this vision to life, Barnes turned to James Potter of Superstructures, who also runs The Suffolk Bowl Company, and asked him to take on the challenge.

Working with the centuries-old oak, James cut the beam into sections, stabilising a large historic crack with resin and removing areas of decay. Each stage of the process required patience and precision, as the timber’s age and character needed to be preserved while transforming it into something new.

Over several days, the section of the beam was turned on a lathe, gradually revealing the form of a handcrafted bowl. The finished piece retained the rich grain, texture ad history of the original timber, while becoming an elegant bespoke object, a tangible connection between past and present.

The final moment was perhaps the most rewarding. Presented back to Clare College, the bowl now serves as a reminder not only of the building’s long history, but also of a shared commitment to preserving it thoughtfully.

Pictured is Mark Hart handing over the finished piece to Toby Wilkinson, Bursar at Clare College. It’s a simple yet meaningful gesture that captures the spirit of collaboration and care behind the project.

At Barnes, we believe construction is about more than just buildings. It’s about stewardship, innovation, and finding ways to honour the past while working responsibly towards the future.