Emmanuel Church

Conservation / Retrofit

It was the client’s ambition to deliver two key priorities with this project: firstly, to safeguard the existing facility for worship and community use, and secondly, to enhance the existing spatial provision for use by a larger proportion of the local community and various groups. As a result, our involvement looked at a programme of remedial and sensitive fabric retrofit of the existing solid masonry walls, as well as sympathetic provision of expanded facilities with a single storey extension. The new extension represents a fairly humble and simultaneously engaging addition to the elegant original chapel. The architecture offers a more playful and inviting character to the formality of the original church.

“Emmanuel Church was faced with the daunting task of what to do with an old damp and dreary chapel hall that had a long history in the town. With the help of Edward and his team at Ensemble we now have an outstandingly beautiful building loved by everyone who uses it. It is now light, airy and warm and with a Changing Places facility allowing access to all and is much appreciated by the people who need it most. The building is now used every day and our church services now include Afternoon Praise for people with learning needs. We also offer Prayer and Bible Study alongside our hall users. It really is something to be seen so you are most welcome to visit to see for yourself.”

Di Scott, Emmanuel Trustee, Building Project Leader

Budget Approx £300k