Cultural Heritage Projects, Metalwork and Drawings for Historic Environments

CC Metall AB assists property owners, parishes, architects, building conservation specialists, construction companies, metalworking companies, workshops and other clients with drawings and technical documentation for cultural heritage projects.

We mainly work with metal structures, decorative metalwork, railings, gates, fittings, entrance structures and other bespoke details that need to be adapted to an older building or a culturally sensitive historic environment.

The work may involve documenting an existing detail, recreating something that has been lost or developing a new solution that complements the architecture and design language of the building.

CC Metall AB is based in Gränna, Sweden, and works digitally with clients and projects throughout Europe.

Drawings That Respect the Character of the Building

In cultural heritage projects, it is not enough for a solution simply to work from a technical perspective.

Materials, proportions, lines, profiles, joints, surface treatments and fixings must also suit the existing environment.

A new detail may need to appear as a natural part of the building without creating a false historical impression. In other projects, the objective is to recreate an older detail as closely as possible to the original design, based on the available documentation.

We therefore consider both the overall appearance and the smallest details.

How Can We Help?

We can produce drawings and technical documentation for projects involving:

- churches and parish buildings

- older residential buildings

- listed and protected buildings

- properties of cultural and historical value

- entrance structures and fanlights

- decorative metal grilles

- railings and stair railings

- gates and fences

- balcony railings

- fittings and hinges

- sign brackets and decorative metal details

- window and door details

- metal frames and fixings

- bespoke architectural details

- reconstruction of missing or damaged details

- new solutions adapted to historic architecture

From Photographs or Archive Material to Drawings

The source material for a cultural heritage project is not always complete.

It may consist of:

- historic photographs

- archive drawings

- hand-drawn sketches

- heritage conservation reports

- photographs of existing details

- on-site measurements

- preserved components or fragments

- comparable details from the same building

- descriptions provided by an architect or building conservation specialist

- historical references from similar buildings

We can use this material to interpret the main form, proportions and construction of the detail and then produce a clearer set of drawings.

When information is missing, assumptions and uncertainties are clearly documented so that they can be discussed with the client and the project’s heritage or technical specialists.

Recreating Historic Details

When an older detail is to be recreated, the drawings often need to show more than its external appearance.

The documentation may, for example, need to describe:

- principal dimensions and proportions

- profiles and cross-sections

- material dimensions

- ornaments and decorative elements

- joints and connections

- fixings

- position within the building

- connections to existing materials

- surface treatment

- manufacturing and installation principles

The aim is to produce documentation that respects the historic appearance while also being clear and practical for the blacksmith, workshop or contractor carrying out the work.

New Solutions in Historic Environments

Not all cultural heritage projects involve an exact reconstruction.

Sometimes a new solution is required that meets modern functional needs while also fitting into the existing environment.

Examples include:

- a new railing in an older staircase

- an accessible entrance solution

- a new decorative metal grille

- safety improvements to an existing railing

- a new gate or boundary

- fixings designed to minimise their effect on the existing building

- a discreet and reversible technical solution

- a new detail inspired by the building’s original design language

In such projects, appearance, function, safety, materials and the level of intervention in the existing building must all be carefully balanced.

What Can Be Included in the Delivery?

Depending on the scope of the project, the delivery may include:

- measured survey drawings

- general arrangement drawings

- detail drawings

- plan, elevation and section views

- dimensioned drawings

- profiles and cross-sections

- exploded views

- manufacturing drawings

- installation documentation

- material specifications

- fixing principles

- parts lists

- material lists

- PDF files

- DWG and DXF files

- STEP files, where relevant

- revision schedules

The quotation will specify which documents and file formats are included.

Cultural Heritage Appearance and Practical Constructability

CC Metall AB combines technical drawing expertise with practical experience in metalworking, welding, construction, manufacturing and installation.

This allows us to assess both the visual appearance of a detail and how it can be manufactured and installed in practice.

We consider questions such as:

- Can the detail be manufactured using the intended method?

- Are the material dimensions realistic?

- How can the fixing be designed without unnecessary intervention?

- How will the existing timber, stone, brick or metal be affected?

- Can the solution be installed and, if necessary, removed?

- Does a structural engineer need to verify the load-bearing capacity or fixings?

- Should the materials and surface treatment be discussed with a building conservation specialist?

- Are the proportions compatible with the existing building?

Cooperation with Building Conservation Specialists and Other Experts

Cultural heritage projects often require cooperation between several professional disciplines.

Depending on the project, the following may be required:

- building conservation specialist

- architect

- structural engineer

- conservator

- blacksmith or specialist workshop

- contractor

- parish or property owner

- local building authority

- heritage authority

- another relevant specialist

CC Metall AB can produce and coordinate the drawing documentation based on the approved heritage and technical requirements of the project.

We do not automatically provide heritage conservation statements, authority approvals or formal structural calculations. These services are only included when explicitly stated in the quotation or when carried out by an appointed specialist.

How the Process Works

1. You Send Us the Available Information

Send photographs, older drawings, archive material, dimensions, descriptions and information about what is to be preserved, recreated or altered.

2. We Review the Project Requirements

We assess the available information, identify what is missing and determine which questions need to be clarified with the client or the project’s specialists.

3. The Scope and Price Are Confirmed

You will receive a quotation describing:

- which drawings will be produced

- which file formats will be delivered

- the number of design or revision rounds included

- the assumptions that apply

- the price or estimated time required

- the estimated delivery time

- what is not included

4. The Initial Drawing Proposal Is Produced

We prepare an initial set of drawings based on the available dimensions, photographs, archive material and agreed principles.

5. The Documentation Is Reviewed

The client, architect, building conservation specialist and other relevant parties can review the drawings and provide consolidated feedback.

6. Manufacturing or Installation Documentation Is Finalised

Once the design has been approved, the drawings can be developed into more detailed documentation for quotation, manufacturing and installation.

Information We Need

For an initial assessment, it is helpful if you provide:

- a short description of the project

- the name and location of the building

- information about the building’s protection or heritage status

- photographs of the building and the relevant detail

- historic photographs or archive material

- existing drawings

- principal dimensions

- information about materials and surface treatments

- a heritage conservation programme or statement, if available

- information about which elements are to be preserved

- information about who is responsible for the heritage review

- the intended use of the drawings

- the preferred delivery time

It is not a problem if the documentation is incomplete. Following an initial review, we can explain which additional information is required.

What Is Not Automatically Included?

The following services are only included when explicitly stated in the quotation:

- preliminary heritage assessment

- heritage conservation statement

- permit application

- communication with authorities

- structural calculations

- formal structural design

- material analysis

- paint and colour analysis

- conservation work

- on-site measurement

- travel

- physical testing

- prototype manufacturing

- manufacturing

- surface treatment

- transport

- installation

- external consultant fees

Projects Throughout Europe

CC Metall AB works digitally with cultural heritage projects throughout Europe.

Requirements for alterations to older or protected buildings vary between countries, regions and municipalities. The client must therefore provide information about the local requirements and the authorities or specialists involved in the project.

The drawings may need to be reviewed and approved by a locally authorised architect, structural engineer, building conservation specialist or heritage authority before manufacturing or construction begins.

Why Choose CC Metall AB?

We combine:

- CAD and technical drawing expertise

- practical experience in metalworking and metal fabrication

- an understanding of manufacturing and installation

- an eye for proportions and details

- respect for existing architecture

- clear documentation of assumptions and limitations

- coordination between clients, specialists and manufacturers

Our aim is to produce drawing documentation that respects the character of the building while also being practical for those who will price, manufacture and install the detail.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can You Recreate a Detail from an Old Photograph?

Yes. In many cases, a drawing proposal can be produced using historic photographs, reference dimensions and comparable details.

The level of accuracy depends on the quality of the photograph and the additional information available. Any assumptions will be clearly documented for the client.

Do You Produce Heritage Conservation Statements?

Not automatically. Heritage assessments normally need to be carried out by a building conservation specialist or another appropriately qualified expert.

We can produce drawings based on the heritage conservation approach approved for the project.

Can You Produce Manufacturing Drawings for Decorative Metalwork?

Yes. Once the design has been approved, we can produce more detailed drawings for the blacksmith, workshop, quotation, manufacturing and installation.

Can You Work with Churches and Protected Buildings?

Yes. We can produce drawing documentation for these types of environments. However, the project may require specific permits and review by a heritage specialist or local authority.

Can the Work Be Carried Out Remotely?

Yes. Many projects can be completed using photographs, digital measurements, archive material and existing drawings.

For complex or poorly documented projects, an on-site survey may be required.

Do You Work Outside Sweden?

Yes. CC Metall AB works digitally with clients and cultural heritage projects throughout Europe.

Send Us Your Information for a Quotation

Do you have a project involving an older building or a culturally sensitive historic environment?

Send us photographs, older drawings, archive material, dimensions and a short description of what is to be documented, recreated or developed. We will review the information and respond with an assessment of the scope, price and next steps.

CC Metall AB
Contact person: Christoffer Eskilsson
Email: christoffer@ccmetall.com
Telephone: +46 70 448 64 47
Based in: Gränna, Sweden
Area of operation: throughout Europe

Author: Christoffer Eskilsson, CC Metall AB
Last updated: 19 June 2026