The Making of Our Concrete Bath – Part 5: Craft, Comfort, and Innovation

In the fifth chapter of our story, we step closer to the soul of our concrete bath – a piece where artistry, tradition, and innovation converge.

This bath was not born in a factory. It was crafted by hand, shaped meticulously by Andy, using traditional techniques passed down through generations. Rather than relying on molds or automation, Andy began the process by bedding and shaping boards of timber, forming the gentle, welcoming contours of the bath. Each curve was sculpted by hand, refined with an artist’s touch to create soft, comfort-designed edges – the kind that cradle your neck and shoulders, allowing you to lean back, breathe, and truly relax.

Every detail mattered. Andy shaped the bath not just to be visually stunning, but to feel right — supporting the human form in ways that transform a soak into a deeply restorative experience. The hours of craftsmanship, the adjustments by feel rather than formula, and the insistence on perfection led to a bath that feels as good as it looks.

But we didn’t stop at form and function. We wanted to offer something even more extraordinary: the experience of a pre-heated bath.

Imagine stepping into a bath where the surface is already warm to the touch. Where your shoulders and neck, often left exposed and chilled, are gently embraced by radiant heat. This vision of deeper comfort led us to explore something that had never been done before: a way to warm the bath itself before the water even runs.

This idea sparked an innovation journey that ultimately led to the development and patenting of our integrated heating technology. Designed to gently warm the structure of the bath, it keeps the water hotter for longer and envelops the bather in consistent, luxurious warmth from every angle. It’s not just about relaxation; it's about creating an immersive, unmatched experience — the ultimate expression of comfort and craftsmanship.

The Evolution of Our Basins: From Sculptural Simplicity to Family-Friendly Elegance

At The Poured Project, every design begins with a commitment to honest materiality, function, and enduring beauty. Our journey into concrete basin design began with a piece that embodied pure minimalism and form—the Round Basin. Sculptural, smooth, and deeply architectural, it was our first expression of what concrete could become beyond the expected.

But design never stands still.

Recognizing the needs of modern homes—particularly those of families—we extended our basin collection with the introduction of the Rectangle Basin. Retaining the aesthetic clarity of our first piece, this version brought enhanced practicality into the mix. Its elongated shape and softened inner edges made it especially well-suited to family bathrooms or shared spaces. It can be mounted traditionally on a counter or wall-mounted using our own custom-designed brackets for a floating effect that’s both functional and refined.

Follwed by, The Ark Basin, represents a technical and artistic leap forward. Developed through traditional hand-carving methods, the Ark’s subtly rounded ends offer a gentler, warmer presence. It’s a nod to organic form while maintaining the structured feel of our material. Whether installed in a family residence or a design-forward home, the Ark combines heritage craftsmanship with contemporary sensibility.

Each piece in our basin collection is a reflection of the same ethos that defines our radiators: timeless design, sustainable materials, and an uncompromising attention to detail.

If you're interested in seeing these basins in person or learning more about installation options, get in touch—we love helping our customers find the right fit for their space.

Why We Left Smart Controls Out of Our Radiators - On Purpose

At The Poured Project, we take a different approach to product design. Our mission has always been to create objects of enduring beauty and function—pieces that are timeless, low-impact, and built to last for generations.

That’s why, when developing our new range of patent-protected concrete radiators, we made a deliberate decision that may surprise some:
We left out built-in smart controls.

Designed for the Long Term, Not the Latest Trend

Smart technology is brilliant—and constantly evolving. The problem is, it evolves too quickly. Built-in control systems can become outdated within a few years, limiting flexibility and functionality. Worse still, if that system fails or becomes unsupported, the entire unit often needs costly upgrades or replacement.

That didn’t sit right with us. We’re designing products with a life expectancy of over 85 years. Embedding fast-moving tech into something that’s meant to last a lifetime simply didn’t align with our values.

Adaptable, Compatible, Future-Proof

Instead of building smart tech directly into the radiator, we made it fully compatible with third-party control systems. This gives you full control over how you want to manage your heating—now and in the future.

Whether you're using Loxone, Nest, Google Home, Alexa, or future smart platforms, our radiators seamlessly integrate with your chosen system. You’re free to tailor your control preferences to your lifestyle, without being locked into a single tech ecosystem.

Simplicity That Lasts

This modular approach also makes servicing and upgrades much simpler. If a control unit fails or becomes outdated, you replace the controller—not the radiator. There’s no interference with the core product, and zero compromise to performance.

In short: we separate form, function, and tech to ensure your radiator continues working beautifully, no matter how the digital world changes around it.

Built for Today. Ready for Tomorrow.

At The Poured Project, we believe the most sustainable design is one that stands the test of time. By decoupling fast-paced technology from our long-lasting heating products, we give you freedom, flexibility, and true future-proofing.

Your space. Your system. Your control.
That’s what quiet innovation looks like.

From Apprentice to Artisan

Andy’s Journey from Saturday Job to Master Restorer at Tomlinsons Antiques

Tucked away just outside the Yorkshire town of Wetherby, Tomlinsons Antiques wasn’t just a workshop—it was a place where tradition and time stood still. For Andy, it became the foundation of a lifelong career built on craftsmanship, patience, and deep respect for the past.

Andy’s journey began at just 15, when he took a Saturday job at Tomlinsons. While many teenagers were stacking shelves or washing cars, Andy was stepping into a world of timber, tools, and timeworn beauty. His first role? Tackling facing repairs, cock beading, and hand fluting—precise, intricate work that demanded a steady hand and an eye for detail. Each repair taught him the importance of accuracy, tradition, and subtlety—skills that would shape his entire career.

From Apprentice to Artisan

After leaving school, Andy joined Tomlinsons full time, and that’s when his real apprenticeship began. The senior restorers took him under their wing, passing on knowledge you couldn’t find in any manual. It was all hands-on, eye-trained work—an education in traditional furniture restoration techniques that were fast disappearing in the modern world.

Andy learned the art of hand carving, shaping intricate details from solid wood with chisels and gouges. He became skilled in turning on a lathe, producing perfectly symmetrical spindles, legs, and finials. He learned to hand-cut delicate inlays, lay traditional veneers, and use animal and fish glues, just as restorers had done for generations before him.

Some of the most challenging (and rewarding) tasks involved recreating missing parts—from finials and chair arms to drawer mouldings—blending the new so seamlessly into the old that the repair became invisible. And with each restoration, Andy developed a deeper understanding of the character and construction of historic furniture.

Respecting the Wood, Preserving the Story

Restoring antiques isn’t just about making them look good again. For Andy, it was about honouring the history embedded in each piece. A deep scratch wasn’t a flaw—it was a moment. A warped panel wasn’t just damage—it was the result of decades of life and climate. Working with aged wood meant embracing its quirks, its personality, and treating it with the respect it deserved.

Though Tomlinsons Antiques eventually closed its doors, the skills Andy gained within its walls never left him. They became part of who he is—a craftsman dedicated to preserving history, not just restoring furniture.

From Wood to Concrete: A New Chapter in Craftsmanship

Today, Andy applies that same meticulous attention to detail and reverence for materials in an entirely new medium: concrete. Drawing on his traditional restoration training, he now designs and crafts bespoke concrete products, including luxury kitchens, sculptural dining tables, cabinetry, and statement furniture. Each piece is designed with the same mindset he learned as a young restorer—where form, function, and craftsmanship come together to create something timeless.

Whether he’s shaping concrete or restoring mahogany, Andy’s work carries the same spirit: a belief in doing things the right way, by hand, with care and integrity. His journey from the quiet workshop of Tomlinsons to a contemporary design studio is a rare and beautiful bridge between the old world and the new—proving that true craftsmanship never goes out of style.

Our First Round Basin

At The Poured Project, every product starts with a conversation. Our first round basin began as a request from a longstanding collaborator—the owner of a leading interior design tile company—who challenged us to bring something timeless and tactile into their showroom.

Andy, our lead fabricator and co-founder, took to the task in the only way we know how: hands-on, and from the ground up. Rather than jumping straight to CAD, this piece was carved the traditional way. Andy turned the form by hand on a lathe, working directly with the material to capture a shape that felt both classic and contemporary. The process was slow, methodical, and deliberate—everything that defines our approach to concrete.

Once we had the prototype, we moved into making our own formwork, then casting a custom rubber mould. Every part of the process was completed in-house. This hands-on development gave us full control over detail and finish, allowing the basin’s subtle curves and edges to come through with clarity and precision in the final concrete pour.

The result is a round basin with quiet presence—sculptural yet functional, grounded yet elegant. It showcases everything we stand for at The Poured Project: craft, longevity, and a design language rooted in both material honesty and aesthetic refinement.

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Product Spotlight: Round Concrete Basin

Dimensions: 422mm diameter x 110mm height

Finish: Hand-cast concrete with refined edgework

Colourways: Available in a variety of bespoke shades

Availability: Made to order and some available in stock for a prompt delivery.