Workshop
Props, Sets & Structures
At Sustain Theatre, we design and build bold, large-scale props, sets and structures for theatre, festivals, events and public spaces.
Our work is known for its scale, ingenuity and adaptability — creating pieces that move easily between performance, exhibition and practical reuse. From striking visual landmarks to fully functional mobile spaces, our builds are designed to be robust, transportable and memorable.
Over the years we have delivered projects across the UK and beyond, including large sculptural installations, touring performance structures and bespoke event infrastructure.
If you have a project that requires imagination, practical problem-solving and skilled making, we’d love to talk.
Restored Railway Carriage
A complete nut-and-bolt rebuild of a 1940s Great Western general cargo truck, completed in ten weeks.
The carriage was fitted with:
- A full TV-standard production kitchen
- Integrated battery and lighting systems
- Two wood-burning stoves
Since its restoration, the carriage has been used as a touring stage, festival space, and has now been thoughtfully repurposed as a permanent café — Goshawk Coffee, based at our site.
Timepiece
An oversized sculptural clock inspired by the Pierhead Clock in Cardiff Bay.
Constructed from recycled materials and built in three sections for ease of transport, the piece housed a bespoke sound system and was designed for both indoor and outdoor display.
The Timepiece has been exhibited at the Museum of Wales and is now installed at our workshops.
Art Installations
We design and deliver large-scale touring art installations, including multiple works created from reclaimed materials.
Our role typically includes:
- Design and fabrication
- Structural planning
- Transport and logistical strategy
These projects are built to tour, withstand repeated installation, and adapt to different sites and audiences.
Garden Rooms & Timber Structures
We design and build small-scale timber structures, portable buildings and functional architectural elements.
One example is our accessible loo, designed as a compact timber house using a stack-and-store container footprint. The structure includes an upper balcony, creating an elevated viewing platform and demonstrating how small buildings can be both practical and expressive.
We have delivered a range of timber-framed and portable builds and are happy to discuss:
- Small bespoke design-and-build projects
- Portable structures
- Temporary or semi-permanent installations
Men's Shed
We host a weekly Men’s Shed every Tuesday, 10:30–14:30, led by our carpenter Stevie.
Our Men’s Shed is hands-on and project-based, with volunteers contributing directly to builds in development. One current project is the “Waterproof” — a pitched roof system designed to fit standard intermediate bulk containers (IBCs), providing rainwater collection or weather protection for stored materials.
This project is being developed collaboratively with volunteers and reflects our commitment to shared skills, learning and making.