At the Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies, two arcades running around the quadrangle had originally been left with rough red brick vaulted ceilings. The earlier intention was to cover the brickwork with mosaic, but when those plans changed, Carvero was asked to rework the vaults into a more refined architectural feature.

The result is restrained, rhythmic and highly effective. Rather than covering the brickwork, the existing material was brought back into focus. The brick vaults were cleaned, repaired and repointed, allowing the colour and pattern of the brick to create a mosaic-like surface in its own right.

Carvero’s stonemasons carefully cleaned out the old mortar joints, cleaned the brickwork, replaced damaged bricks where required and straightened selected joint lines to improve the overall appearance of the vaulting. The brickwork was then repointed in lime mortar, preserving the character of the material while giving the ceilings a much more ordered finish.

New carved stone ribs were installed at intervals across the vaults, with carved boss stones positioned where the ribs intersect. These stone elements give structure, proportion and visual rhythm to the arcade ceilings, reading as an intentional part of the architecture rather than a later addition.

This project is a strong example of how traditional materials — brick, lime mortar and natural stone — can be used with care and restraint to transform an architectural space. The work did not rely on excess decoration. Instead, it used proportion, craft and careful detailing to give the arcades a more complete and dignified character.

Carvero is a Leicester-based architectural stonemasonry company specialising in stone conservation and restoration, lime mortar repointing, natural stone repairs and new-build architectural stonework. From carved architectural stonework and stone ashlar walling to brick vault repairs and traditional lime mortar work, we restore and create new stonework for private residences, listed buildings, conservation projects and architect-led developments across Leicestershire, Warwickshire, Oxfordshire, the Midlands and the wider UK.