Sacred Spaces

Funded by the National Heritage Lottery Fund (NHLF), the Museum of the Home project has successfully consolidated a Grade I listed almshouse while introducing a series of strikingly contemporary elements and new landscaping. This thoughtful remodelling has increased exhibition space by 80% and public space by 50%, all while maintaining the building’s overall energy requirements.

A new entrance directly opposite Hoxton Station enhances the public realm and features a street-facing café, inviting the community to engage with this vital heritage site. In preserving a valuable local and national heritage asset for future generations, the project has been genuinely transformative.

Furthermore, the almshouse chapel and undercroft provide distinctive exhibition opportunities. The lower ground floor crypt, previously used for storage, has been expertly excavated and restored. The exposed brick arches of the undercroft beautifully contrast with the vibrant lime-plastered walls of the ‘Home’ gallery, highlighting the rich historical narrative of the space while seamlessly integrating modern design elements.

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This transformative project for Lambeth Palace Library aims to create a beacon in the city by housing the Church of England's world-class collection of books, manuscripts, and artifacts. The design features an ‘upper room’ at the top of the building, which will serve as a versatile space for seminars, events, outreach, and community engagement.

With spectacular views of the city and the Palaces of Westminster, this new facility fosters a visual connection between Church and State. The building's entrance also establishes a visual link from the street to the Archbishop’s garden, opening up the previously concealed grounds of the Palace to passers-by and inviting the community to engage with this historic site.

The project emphasises sustainability and accessibility, ensuring that the library meets modern standards while respecting its historic context. The integration of natural light and landscaping enhances the user experience, making it a welcoming space for both research and community activities.

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As part of the Church of England's long-term mission, the masterplan for Lambeth Palace enhances and extends a remarkable continuum through a thoughtfully designed programme of repair and remodelling. This initiative aims to achieve net-zero status, featuring a new energy centre and essential fabric upgrades.

Lambeth Palace has served as the residence of the Archbishops of Canterbury for over 800 years, imbuing its buildings with a rich history of residents, staff, and visitors. This project not only strengthens the connections within the Lambeth Palace community but also enhances its role within the wider public realm, enabling the Palace to contribute even more distinctly to national religious and cultural life.

Essential works involve: Replacing failing life expired services, Removal of asbestos, Providing access for those with disabilities, Repairing serious building defects, Differentiating between public and private areas, Providing security and hospitality and Achieving net zero carbon by 2030.

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The Magdalen College Longwall Library project reimagined a building with a chapel-like form, a former school hall, retaining its architectural essence while transforming it into a modern library. Originally designed by JC Buckler in the 19th century, it exhibits many of the typical Gothic features found in religious architecture, in the execution of the stonework, exposed roof structure and decorative details.

A curious historical footnote recounts historian AJP Taylor’s suggestion that Magdalen’s chapel, in the historic core of the College, be transformed into a public swimming pool, humorously mirroring Soviet-era repurposing of churches. While this idea never came to fruition, the concept of adaptive reuse subtly reflects the architectural philosophy behind the Longwall Library transformation.

Wright & Wright respected the original chapel-like form throughout the renovation, incorporating it into the design language of the new library. The project carefully balanced the need to preserve the historic building fabric with modern requirements. This included adding an extension into the surrounding garden to create more study spaces while ensuring the original structure’s character remained intact.

A key design element was the creation of a subtle distinction between the old and new, ensuring that the integrity of the original building was not compromised. The exposed timber roof structure and grand windows were restored to maintain a sense of openness and light. The environmental design incorporated passive cooling through eaves ventilation and opening roof lights, combined with modern sustainable technology like low-energy heating and LED lighting.

The library now serves as a central hub for students, housing over 100,000 books and offering 24/7 access. This sensitive transformation respects the building’s historic roots while making it a vibrant, functional space for future generations​.

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Perched on elevated ground, St. Michael's Church stands as a Grade 1 Listed building and a prominent figure in the Oxfordshire landscape since the 11th century. Today, the parishioners, as custodians of this rich history, are eager to explore improvements to their seating, storage, and robing areas, as well as the potential inclusion of a lavatory and catering space.

Our exploration focuses on enhancing the church’s peripheral ‘servant’ spaces to better serve and dignify the central ‘served’ spaces. We aim to ensure that our new additions reflect the distinct character of the church’s masonry construction and timber furnishings.

It’s vital to recognise that St. Michael’s Church, while a listed building, remains a living entity— an enduring place of congregation. The needs of its parishioners are as essential as the preservation of its historic fabric, with each supporting the other. This relationship allows us to view the church not merely as a static object but as a dynamic part of the village’s infrastructure. In this light, we are considering how preservation and change, while inherently in tension, can coexist harmoniously as part of the same art.

As part of our commitment to fostering inclusive environments, we are pleased to feature the impactful work of a national charity dedicated to collaborating with communities, organisations, and networks to design buildings, open spaces, homes, and neighbourhoods. Their mission is to connect people with design, empowering them to enhance the quality of their neighbourhoods.

In partnership with Glass-House Community Led Design, this initiative promotes the value of design through workshops, seminars, and various forms of engagement. The Glass-House achieves public benefit by bridging connections between people and places, fostering a sense of agency, confidence, and skills among community members.

Leanna, a valued member of our office, served as a consultant with the Glass-House, facilitating dialogue among diverse groups. Her efforts aimed to build relationships and amplify a broader range of voices, ultimately creating a more inclusive working environment.