It’s World Architecture Day today and the theme is Design for Strength – which also provides a fitting moment to share one of our salvage successes—a stunning collection of oak pilasters which we reclaimed from a prestigious building in Lincoln’s Inn Fields last year. Despite initial warnings that removing them intact would be nigh impossible, our team was determined! We successfully brought back ten pilasters in perfect condition, with only two sustaining minor damage.

Standing at an impressive 6 meters tall, these pilasters would be challenging to repurpose in their full form. However, their uniform width offers flexibility—they can be shortened and re-joined to suit various spaces.

For inspiration, here’s a look into the RETROUVIUS archive at a Swiss kitchen designed in 2012…

These oak pilasters, originally from a 1920s Marylebone Church, were remarkable for their parallel lines rather than the typical entasis. Used as drawer fronts, they created a striking horizontal visual and tactile element. Paired with a reclaimed iroko worktop, copper panels and marble, the result is a space that carries its history forward – strong in character, honest in material and contemporary in spirit.

It’s also a reminder that architectural strength can come from what we choose to keep.

SHOP OAK PILASTERS