The Lost Art
The Lost Art, is a documentary filmed in 2023 May- September. The documentary follows the construction of our new showroom/development at Steven Bonner ‘one of Iconic co-owners’ home. The works completed on the property were a full landscape and relevelling of the back garden and a ground floor side extension which allowed for a cine/bar room.
Iconic's goal with this documentary is to reveal the real building industry! We hope to show how important the building industry is to the future development of the world we live in and to show how desperately lost building has become. The building industry needs to change and elevate in every aspect. Building needs to become a less corporate profit driven industry and evolve to become one that thrives on quality and delivering the best service/experience, this is something that the building industry has forgotten. Rules and guidelines need to be made in the building industry as there’s currently nothing stopping builders over-charging customers and deliver poorly finished products.
The youth of today are never taught about the potential of working in the building industry as a career, if anything it is completely hidden within our education system as a career option. The UK government pushes the youth of today to further education and to the business/corporate world, this was a total failure. The youth of today are totally lost, they lack opportunity and correct guidance and this is something we have all created.
The building industry has a significantly aging demographic which is worrying as this aging demographic aren't teaching the next generation. We in the UK have a massive shortage in every aspect of construction and an increasing problem with the quality controlled within the industry. If we don't address this issue soon, it will affect the future development of the UK.
What has happened to the building industry is simple it has been pushed aside and completely forgotten about in every aspect. There is a lack of investment in building as there's no trust, there’s no opportunities for people to move into the industry, and there's an outdated training system that needs totally rethinking. The building industry is the backbone of the UK economy and the UK being one of the most respected countries for building in the world has lost the ability to build new build housing correctly, this is embarrassing! In the Lost Art we will address these problems and hope to show you and effective way of teaching the next generation, something we all need to do better!
The Lost Art Documentary out now on YouTube -https://www.youtube.com/@IconicProjectsltd
The Iconic team
Bradley Bonner, 22
Brad, has been a builder for the past 4 years and is the owner of Iconic Projects. Brad being Steve's son started the company with a goal of building high end bespoke homes. Brad's job is running all of the company finance and working on site being one of the key workers on site at Iconic.
Brad started Iconic at the age of 18 and his goal is to transform the image of the building industry by showcasing what his generation are capable of.
Steven Bonner, 52
Steve has been a lifelong passionate builder, he has devoted 37 years of his life to building and the development of the UK. He's always being someone who takes pride in his work and has devoted his life to trade. Being a carpentry originally, Steve became one of the largest carpentry firms in Bournemouth with his past company called Ozone Development which he ran for 21 years. Unfortunately this company went bankrupt and he moved forward to become the project manager and site leader for Iconic Projects.
Barrie Hillen, 56
Barrie has been working for Iconic from the start. Barrie is a long friend of Steve's. We had the opportunity to offer Barrie a spot on the team and we are so glad to have him apart of it. Barrie is an amazing worker who turns his hand to anything giving all aspect of building a go. He's was originally a baker for Tescos and has been working in retail for the past 21 years prior to Iconic. Barrie is the definition of a hardworking individual who took a risk in changing careers at the age of 53.
Micky Rideout, 40
Micky has been a builder from the age of 15, he is one of the hardest working individuals in building to be seen. Micky is an incredibly talented builder who can turn his hand to anything from pitching a roof to doing 1st fix electrics, we still to this day have not found something he can't do. That's why in our eyes he is a building legend and a testament to what you can achieve in building industry with hard work! Micky has worked with Steve for the past 25 years and their brotherly bond is something every human should embrace.
Ash has been working with Iconic from the start and is Barrie's step son. Ash has worked in building from the age of 16 always wanting to become a carpenter. Ash studied carpentry at college completing his 1st and 2nd year and now being a qualified carpenter with over 5 years of experience working in the trade. Ash hasn't just done carpentry though, he's willing to turn his hands to anything which is something we always look for at Iconic. Ash at the age of 21 has a foundations to travel anywhere in the world and will always have the safety of a career
Ashley White, 21
James Bishop, 28
James has been working for Iconic for just under a year now! James originally was working in more corporate industry prior to joining the team. James struggled in finding a job that he enjoyed doing everyday being an active person he is. Being Steve's daughter's boyfriend he asked for an opportunity to join the team! We are glad to have James as apart of the team he's hardworking, willing to give everything a go and always willing to learn
