ADAM Partner Robbie Kerr restores a Grade II-listed synagogue in London

Restoring the painted ceilings of a Grade II-listed synagogue has provided an opportunity to recover a remarkable nineteenth-century decorative scheme and celebrate traditional craftsmanship in sacred architecture.

ADAM has been delighted to lead a major programme of restoration and redecoration of the Sanctuary of a London synagogue, reinstating the decorative ambition of the synagogue’s original 1869 design by Davis & Emanuel.

Last comprehensively refurbished in the 1990s, the space had deteriorated over time with damp causing damage to its richly detailed interior.

Our work on the ceilings involved developing a painted scheme informed by historical research, archival drawings and photographs, and physical evidence uncovered beneath later paint layers. The aim was not simply to recreate a historic interior, but to develop a new scheme rooted in evidence and sensitive to the building’s character.

We were also commissioned to design two new stained-glass windows: one commemorating those affected by Covid-19 and another, Beacon of Light, celebrating the community at the heart of the building.

Paint analysis undertaken with Lincoln Conservation and investigative work by Britain and Co revealed traces of the decorative scheme beneath. As modern paint layers were removed using specialist poultices, patterns and markings emerged - Romanesque motifs with Byzantine planning, enriched by Moorish patterns, sweeping arches and intricate metalwork, bold geometric designs in red, blue, gold and turquoise.

The finished scheme used stencilling, tracing transfers, freehand painting, 23.5-carat gilding and trompe-l’œil techniques, creating depth and richness across the architectural surfaces. The double curvature of the pendentives proved particularly challenging, requiring many elements to be painted entirely by hand.

As work progressed, the restoration also uncovered evidence of the methods employed by the original decorators - a rare insight into 19th century craftsmanship, showing how complex geometric schemes were laid out using plumb lines, measurements and practical skill rather than extensive stencilling.

The project highlights the continuing relevance of traditional decorative arts. More than embellishment, the Sanctuary’s ornament and inscriptions communicate history, identity and faith. The restoration demonstrates how careful conservation can deepen our understanding of historic craftsmanship while informing contemporary design, ensuring that valuable knowledge and skills are preserved for future generations.