Shoemakers Museum

Designed by Purcell Architects for the Alfred Gillett Trust and delivered by Rigg Construction, the Shoemakers Museum provides a permanent home for more than 25,000 pairs of Clarks shoes alongside nationally significant fossil collections. The building reconnects previously separated historic buildings and incorporates reclaimed local Blue Lias stone, while its distinctive pleated brick façade draws inspiration from the craftsmanship and detailing synonymous with Clarks footwear.

IG Masonry Support was approached by Strukta Group to design and supply three A1 Brick Slip Lintels for the museum’s front elevation. Installed within the building’s striking pleated brick façade, the lintels supported relatively small openings but required bespoke detailing to allow the brickwork to be shuffled left and right, maintaining the architect’s Flemish bond pattern seamlessly across each opening while delivering a fully A1 non-combustible solution.

Through close collaboration with Strukta Group and the wider project team, IG Masonry Support delivered bespoke solutions that combined fire performance with precise architectural detailing, helping to realise the façade design while maintaining the quality and craftsmanship demanded by the project. The Shoemakers Museum has since been shortlisted at the 2026 Brick Awards in the Public Building, Craftsmanship, and Sustainability categories, recognising the exceptional quality and innovation of the development.