This scheme converted a badly damaged grade ll listed C19th former communal baths and assembly rooms, into a dynamic office space for a collection of family businesses. Once a grand municipal building, featuring 3 swimming pools, meeting rooms and a huge assembly room with a mezzanine gallery for musicians and singers, the doors were finally closed in 1976.

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By the 1980s the original ornate interior finishes had been completely stripped away back to a rough stone and brick finish. The small performance mezzanine within the main hall had been removed and a half-hearted attempt tried to create modern offices but with little success. The rear part of the building was sold to a charity to create a veterinary practice whilst the handsome frontage gathered dust and dry rot.

 

Leaving much of the remaining historical patina exposed, we worked with Sheila Bird interior designers to install a dynamic mezzanine within the main space, filled with free standing meeting pods. We carefully lined some areas of the external walls, whilst cleaning up exposed stone in others. Changes were legible and wholly readable as such. A glazed executive meeting room was added to the rear 2nd floor with a large lantern rooflight.

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Access was restored through the grand front entrance portico and a disabled ramp was included to ensure full accessibility. The assembly rooms have a new life, for listed buildings need a new life if they are to survive into the future.

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Interior Design by Sheila Bird Studios.

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Heritage services by Atelier Heritage.

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Images by Workspace Design.