What we do
Our process
Consultation
Cake Industries prioritises early collaboration with designers, cost consultants, and main contractors to align vision, feasibility, and economics from the outset. Under a PCSA, Cake extends comprehensive pre-tender design advisory services, including 3D modeling, engineering analysis, and cost planning, ensuring all aspects of the project, from logistics to financials, are thoroughly prepared before proceeding.
Prototyping
Recognising the uniqueness of each project, Cake advocates for extensive prototyping, which includes sampling and full-scale models to ensure the final build meets their high standards. This phase fosters collaborative refinement between all project stakeholders.
Design
Cake’s skilled in-house design team transforms initial sketches into detailed, fabrication-ready models using advanced 3D parametric software like SolidWorks, Rhino, and Grasshopper. This early engagement facilitates the creation of projects that are both aesthetically pleasing and cost-effective. Cake also offers standalone design commissions and third-party checks while incorporating sustainable practices to address the climate emergency.
Fabrication
Operating from its South London workshop, Cake handles a variety of bespoke projects, from staircases to structural steelworks and artistic installations. The team utilises a broad skill set and specialised machinery to meet rigorous standards. All structures, including staircases and steelworks, comply with UKCA marking to execution class 2 as required for the UK market.
Installation
Cake’s comprehensive installation services ensure that fabricated structures are seamlessly integrated into their final locations. Cake prepares meticulously, coordinating with logistics and other stakeholders, and the qualified installation team utilises bespoke methodologies tailored to each project. Cake manages everything from risk assessments to on-site finishing, ensuring top-quality results.
Structural Engineering
Cake Engineering provides structural consultancy services for projects of all sizes, with particular expertise in bridge design and independent checking. Led by David Knight, our team delivers structural design, specification, and compliance calculations for both private and public clients. Our portfolio includes everything from residential modifications to sculptures, highway structures, and award-winning footbridges.
Materials
Explore the meticulous process Cake Industries employs from initial consultation to final installation, ensuring precision and excellence in every project.
Metal Fabrication
Our metal fabrication capabilities range from structural steel to non-ferrous materials. Our team of coded welders and metal fabricators operates in a dedicated workshop designed for projects of all sizes. The space is equipped to handle everything from bespoke helical handrails to fully coded structural welds, offering the flexibility to meet the unique.
Carbon Steel
We frequently use carbon steel in our projects because of its strength and versatility as a structural material. It's a fundamental component in various applications, such as forming the stringers of staircases, providing the hidden framework for pavilion ring beams, and serving as the backbone for many other structural elements. Its durability and reliability make it an essential material for creating both visible and concealed support structures in our builds.
Weathering Steel
The ability of this material to develop a protective rust-like patina over time, provides both a distinctive aesthetic and eliminates the need for galvanizing. Weathering steel is ideal for outdoor applications where exposure enhances its appearance while ensuring durability. A great example of its use is in the fabrication of the Bracklinn Bridge, where the material's natural weathering process adds both character and longevity to the structure.
Stainless Steel
We utilise stainless steel for high-end projects that demand bespoke finishes, such as mirror polish or brushed surfaces. Its corrosion resistance and sleek appearance make it a preferred choice for premium applications. When working with stainless steel, we take extra care by setting up a dedicated area in our workshop to prevent any contamination between carbon and stainless steel, ensuring the pristine quality of the final product.
Timber
Our wood workshop is tailored for high-end joinery projects, handling everything from custom furniture to intricate, large-scale structures. We blend craftsmanship with modern techniques to achieve efficient results. At Cake Industries, we've built a reliable supply chain that allows us to source engineered timber like LVL efficiently. By working closely with specialist CNC operators, we can create unique geometric components. The versatility of our wood workshop also makes it an ideal space for assembly, where we can test fit and verify structures before they are dispatched for installation.
