Identified as a ‘vulnerable’ building, Brackley Town Hall was suffering from its poor condition, decrementing its footfall and diminishing its income.
The 1706 Grade II* listed building, potentially designed by Sir Christopher Wren, set within a Conservation Area on a restricted site, had been subject to numerous alterations over the years and could no longer cover its running costs.
Haverstock were appointed to carry out a comprehensive restoration and adaptation of the Town Hall to rectify physical issues and improve its long-term financial sustainability.
Heritage & Conservation
Brackley Town Council
Brackley
£3.2m
2018
It was essential to understand the building’s past development, with historical research and building condition survey’s leading to the production of a detailed Conservation Plan and Management & Maintenance Plan. In turn, this underpinned the viability of the proposed new uses and maintaining the building’s authenticity throughout the new works. On the basis of our detailed design work the Heritage Lottery Fund Grant was secured for the HLF development and delivery stages.
Extensive consultation with the client body, statutory authorities, community and user groups were tied into the process from the beginning. The outcome of exhaustive studies resulted in bold new interventions, including a contemporary stair and lift to support accessibility, new community spaces, a ground floor commercial unit and a unique holiday let in the attic space to provide an income for ongoing maintenance and care of the building. In addition, essential provision for an improved civic hall for events, new commercial kitchen and toilets were made.
Civic Trust Highly Commended AABC Conservation Award, 2020
RIBA East Midlands Award Winner, 2019
AJ Retrofit Award, Listed building Category, Finalist, 2019
BD Architect of the Year Awards, Refurbishment Category, Finalist, 2019
From the outset, a key objective was to build social responsibility, knitting together the existing community with new residents arriving as the town grows over the next decade and more. Through the organisation of a programme of Heritage Open Days, Construction Skill Workshops, Living History Events and Georgian Music and Dance Evenings, Brackley now acts as a vibrant heritage asset that remains at the centre of community life.
