York Guildhall announced as 2024 Civic Trust AABC Conservation Awards Regional Finalist

November 28, 2023

The Refurbishment and Remodelling of York Guildhall has been announced as a Regional Finalist in the 2024 Civic Trust AABC Conservation Awards.

Established in 2014, the awards recognise projects which demonstrate the highest standards of historic building conservation. Regional Finalists are schemes which have demonstrated a significant standard of historic building conservation in their region, contributing to the quality and appearance of the built environment, whilst being sustainable, accessible, and providing a positive civic contribution.

The Guildhall complex is owned by City of York Council and is made up of Grade I, II* and II listed buildings built around a large 15th-century Guildhall. The refurbishment and remodelling provides a world class venue, supporting and nurturing the expansion of York’s vibrant businesses; combining events and exhibition space, with supporting café and restaurant offers, with state-of-the-art collaboration and co-working facilities in the heart of a historic and creative city, and securing an economically viable and sustainable future for one of its most iconic buildings.

The main hall suffered significant bomb damage during the second world war and since its reopening in 1960 had received only reactive repairs, putting the building at risk. The project has delivered a comprehensive (once in 100 years) refurbishment of one of York’s most prestigious and historically significant buildings, together with new build interventions as necessary to re-purpose the complex for its new use. Best practice conservation principles have been adopted, enhancing and better revealing the significance of the heritage assets, whilst incorporating modern servicing and amenity requirements. A Water Source Heat Pump provides sustainable green energy from the adjacent River Ouse, significantly reducing carbon emissions.

The works were completed successfully despite the challenges of the covid-19 pandemic and significant engineering challenges given the buildings unique location and heritage. Extensive archaeology was undertaken due to the discovery of an old Friary and six bodies during construction. The River Ouse was used to transport equipment and materials to site to avoid construction traffic in York’s narrow historic city centre streets.

The University of York, through York Science Park Ltd, a partnership between the University and City of York Council, has taken a long-term lease on the historic buildings, to create a hub for business, enterprise and events. The new space will enable the University to bring the innovation and support it offers to local business and enterprise into the heart of York, driving inclusive and sustainable growth in the City as it recovers from the pandemic.

Regional Finalists will now be considered by the AABC Conservation Awards National Judging Panel for a National Conservation Award or be Highly Commended. National AABC Conservation Awards and Highly Commended winners will be announced at the annual Civic Trust Awards Ceremony in March.

York Guildhall Conservation and Regeneration Highly Commended at National Constructing Excellence Awards

November 24, 2023

The restoration and remodelling of York Guildhall, led by Burrell Foley Fischer, was Highly Commended at the 2023 Constructing Excellence Awards, in the Conservation and Regeneration Category.

The Constructing Excellence Awards are a celebration of everything the UK’s Built Environment has to be proud of. The awards are designed to showcase how the Constructing Excellence principles are delivered in practice and crucially inspire others to embrace these principles. Winners are selected through a regional awards programme to go forward to the national finals. The awards are decided by a panel of expert judges with significant proven experience in driving and implementing innovation and positive change across the sector.

The Guildhall complex is owned by City of York Council and is made up of Grade I, II* and II listed buildings built around a large 15th-century Guildhall. The capital spend has transformed it from a long-term liability for the Council into a vibrant and financially viable city landmark. The refurbishment and remodelling provides a world class venue, supporting and nurturing the expansion of York’s vibrant businesses; combining events and exhibition space with state-of-the-art collaboration and co-working facilities in the heart of a historic and creative city, and securing an economically viable and sustainable future for one of its most iconic buildings.

The project has delivered a comprehensive refurbishment of one of York’s most prestigious and historically significant buildings, together with new build interventions as necessary to re-purpose the complex for its new use. Best practice conservation principles have been adopted, in terms of the approach to enhancing and better revealing the significance of the heritage assets, whilst incorporating modern servicing and amenity requirements.

The integration of renewable and decarbonising technology, in the form of a Water Source Heat Pump, provides sustainable green energy from the adjacent River Ouse and showcases that any building can be adapted to contribute towards the sustainability agenda. This, linked with carefully considered building fabric improvements that were complementary of the listed nature of the building, has reduced both running costs and carbon in use whilst improving the buildings environmental comfort for its occupiers.

The River Ouse was used to transport materials to and from the site to avoid construction traffic in York's narrow city centre streets. Due to the Guildhall's central riverside location, the Canal & River Trust enabled contractors to use the river to erect an on-site Tower Crane and provide access for deliveries, which would otherwise be impossible via road. Use of the river has also reduced road deliveries into the heart of the city. Over 1,000 river deliveries were made through the contract period to bring in equipment and materials.

This unique construction methodology coupled with the complexity and care required to safely restore and regenerate the Guildhall complex set this project apart from any other Conservation & Regeneration project and has offered the opportunity for heritage skills to be gained and honed along with opportunities for job creation though apprenticeships and hours of invaluable time contributing to social responsibly.

Book launch talk for Aidan Ridyard’s new monograph “The Church Architecture of Richard Twentyman”

November 17, 2023

The launch of a new monograph on the Church Architecture of Richard Twentyman, by Aidan Ridyard and Professor Chris Kennedy, hosted by the Wolverhampton and District Society of Architects, will be held at Wolverhampton University on Thursday 7th December.

Richard Twentyman, the brother of the sculptor Anthony Twentyman, was a successful West Midlands architect based in Wolverhampton who is known particularly for the thirteen churches and chapels he designed between 1937 and 1973.

In January 2019 Aidan Ridyard presented a short talk about the Churches of Richard Twentyman at the C20th Society (West Midlands) "Architecture Slam" event. Chris Kennedy was in the audience and had also been researching Twentyman's Churches. Over a friendly chat a shared passion was recognised and a project was born!

Four years later, Aidan and Chris are still collaborating and have recently published their new book. Their efforts have been greatly assisted by many fellow enthusiasts, including particularly John East, whose photography has brought the churches to life.

“In a beautifullv illustrated volume (including meticulous plans and isometric drawings – a joy!) Chris Kennedy and Aidan Ridyard provide a detailed account of each of the English architect's 11 churches and two crematorium chapels, most of which were constructed in and around his native Wolverhampton.
This book is a timely reminder not to underestimate the scope of architects who operated in a small geographical area. If you find yourself in the environs of Wolverhampton you should arm yourself with this invaluable guide.”
Clare Price, C20, Twentieth Century Society magazine.

At the book launch talk, Aidan and Chris will select a sample of Twentyman’s churches to illustrate his distinctive architectural evolution from an early monumental phase, to more modernistic approaches and later innovative design. They will explain the British and European influences on his work and locate his architecture in the changing social, economic, and religious contexts of this period.

Tickets for the event are available here

Further details of the project and how to order the book can be found here

Engineering Awards for York Guildhall

November 15, 2023

The remodelling and conservation of York Guildhall was the winner of three awards at the Yorkshire Regional Group Institution of Structural Engineering Awards 2023: Best medium Project; the Sustainability Award and the Overall Winner Award. Congratulations to our colleagues at Arup who were the Structural Engineers for the project.

The Guildhall complex, made up of Grade I, II* and II listed buildings built around a large 15th-century Guild Hall, is owned by City of York Council. The refurbishment and remodelling has provided a world class venue, supporting and nurturing the expansion of York’s vibrant creative businesses; combining events and exhibition space with state-of-the-art collaboration and co-working facilities in the heart of the historic and creative city.

The existing buildings were on the Heritage at Risk register and the tower in particular was in need of significant stabilisation works.The main hall suffered significant bomb damage during the second world war and since its reopening in 1960 had received only reactive repairs. The project has secured the future of the Guildhall complex, through the delivery of an economically viable and sustainable scheme. It has delivered a comprehensive refurbishment, together with new build interventions as necessary to re-purpose the complex for a new use.

The core requirement for modern flexible offices and the associated provision of multipurpose space to suit a variety of potential uses as co-working / conferencing / meeting and events / exhibition space has been achieved through sensitive planning and an understanding of the balance between new and existing, volume and space.

A café and a separate restaurant unit benefit from a new south facing riverside courtyard, with a landscape treatment designed to provide flood resilience. The refurbishment of Common Hall Yard into a flexible external space builds on its ceremonial traditions and improves public access throughout the complex.

The River Ouse was used to transport materials to and from the site to avoid construction traffic in York's narrow city centre streets. The Guildhall's riverside location allowed contractors to use the river to erect an on-site Tower Crane and provide access for deliveries, which would otherwise be impossible via road.

York Guildhall has also been shortlisted for Project of the Year at the CIBSE Building Performance Awards 2024, in three categories: Commercial and Offices; Retrofit; and Public Use. The CIBSE Building Performance Awards (BPAs) recognises the people, products and projects that demonstrate engineering excellence in the built environment. They are the only industry awards that focus on actual, measured performance outcomes, and not just design intent or performance specifications. Congratulations to our colleagues at SGA Consulting who were the Services Engineers for the project.

Sustainability measures included: introducing a River Source Heat Pump to provide sustainable green energy from the adjacent River Ouse, significantly reducing carbon emissions; improving the thermal insulation of the existing Listed building where possible; and thermally insulating the existing roofs, including the Guildhall roof, following agreement with Historic England to amend the roof covering from lead to zinc to reduce weight.

Hall for Cornwall shortlisted for National RTPI Award for Planning Excellence

October 09, 2023

The refurbishment and remodelling of the Grade II* Listed Hall for Cornwall has been shortlisted for the National RTPI Awards for Planning Excellence 2023. The theatre is a finalist in the ‘Excellence in Planning for Heritage and Culture’ category.

The Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) Awards for Planning Excellence are the leading planning awards that champion and recognise the positive contribution planning professionals make in the community. They are designed to “give recognition and profile to the best plans, people and projects that are really making a difference.”

The theatre becomes a finalist for the national awards following winning both Best Project of the Year and the Chair's Award for Design at the RTPI South West Awards earlier this year.

Commenting on the awards the judges said:

“In selecting this entry as winner of the Best Project in the South-West, the judges were impressed with the planning considerations in delivering an impressive Theatre Design which is outstanding and focused on an inclusive user experience.
Given that the Theatre could have been repurposed as a Supermarket in the 1990’s, the Panel considered there is much to commend this project as an exemplar of reusing and restoring buildings to meet current requirements. It’s history shines through with innovative storytelling - via QR codes - and careful stonework which celebrates the many previous uses.
As an example of a mixed-use, culturally led development in the heart of a compact urban environment involving two Grade II * listed buildings, the scheme is seen as a highly successful outcome at a time where City Centres can struggle to maintain their position".

The refurbishment and remodelling of the Grade II* listed Hall For Cornwall has increased its audience capacity, conserved and restored its important heritage elements and brought them into better use. The new, three-tiered theatre space has enabled the organisation to deliver their artistic vision and provided a new dynamic relationship between performer and audience. Improved access to Arts and Culture for the community of Cornwall will result, together with the facilities required to support a sustainable business model for the organisation.

The Hall For Cornwall site was saved from public sale in the 1990s and converted into a 900 seat auditorium. The successful campaign founded the Hall For Cornwall and developed a significant audience across the county. However, the auditorium was difficult to play, the seating was tired, the bar and café were constricted and the seating capacity insufficient to attract the larger touring shows.

The project has stripped out the old arena style auditorium back to the bones. We inserted a new steel and timber frame across 3 levels, digging down for the stalls and popping up a roof extension. We installed a flexible proscenium and variable acoustic banners supporting a range of performance from orchestral to stand-up comedy. Gentle ramps across the site, combined with lifts, have provided universal access into the theatre, and comfortable seating installed, including thirteen wheelchair spaces with a variety of positions within the auditorium. The seats are covered in a durable fabric with a specially woven pattern based on the colours within the granite harbour walls of Port Isaac.

Improved dressing room facilities, and proper facilities for performers with disabilities, have been provided for the first time. The Boscawen Hall, the arcaded marketplace designed by Christopher Eales, has been restored and forms a new foyer and bar for the theatre. A casual café restaurant has been opened in the Back Quay building which is open throughout the day. The Back Quay spaces have been transformed to provide offices for Hall For Cornwall as well as lettable spaces for the creative community in Truro, a facility named Husa, meaning to dream in Cornish.

In revitalising the Hall for Cornwall, Burrell Foley Fischer Architects were asked to design a theatre that was representative of its location and culture: a space that was open to all, without barriers to attendance or participation. The finished building successfully connects the past and the present, the social with the artistic, and the community with heritage and place.

Commenting on the Chair’s Award for Design the Judges said:

"The theatre design and selection of materials to enhance and protect the building whilst also reflecting the Cornish Coast is outstanding. Their focus on the user experience has delivered a theatre to be proud of".

The winners of the National RTPI Awards for Planning Excellence will be announced at a ceremony, hosted by Krishnan Guru-Murthy, in London next month. A full list of all the finalists can be found here.

John Burrell participates in the 2023 IMCL Conference “The Ecology of Place: From Understanding to Action”

October 06, 2023

John Burrell will be participating in the 2023 IMCL Conference “The Ecology of Place: From Understanding to Action” to be held in Poundbury, UK. John will present a paper ‘Grey Land: How its comprehensive restructuring could end a post-Corbusian ‘idee fixe’ by facilitating the creation of tens of millions of human scale dwellings in our cities globally, and over half a million in the GLA area of London alone...and on land all in public ownership’.

The conference will gather policy leaders, practitioners, community leaders and top scholars, to share lessons and discuss potential collaborations. Key partners, from a number of countries, will share their knowledge and collaboration. A major aim of the conference will be to serve as a “springboard” toward new research, and new collaborative action.

John will present his vision for a renaissance in London Housing and explain why it works by demonstrating the process for achieving it, giving examples of schemes already being delivered and showing how they can be replicated and scaled up.

“With my practice BFF Architects & Urban Designers I have advocated, since its foundation, city building by re-uniting local authority estates with their immediate neighbourhood grain and context. We use the voids where the ‘waste’ land creates security and privacy problems, where it fails to establish useable private space for residents and where it has an ill-defined public realm that invites abuse and abandonment. Our projects at Angell Town, Brixton and Estates on the city fringe demonstrate our remedial approach.” - John Burrell

Video tour hosted by IMCL Executive Director, Dr. Michael Mehaffy

The Abstract for the conference reads:

“As humanity confronts multiple historic challenges, our settlements and their characteristics are set to play a central role – especially so in a time of historic rapid urbanization. Our cities, towns and suburbs are where we interact, move about, consume resources, develop and deploy our technologies, and create most of the impacts we are having on Planet Earth. In that sense, our settlements are major contributors to our challenges – but they also offer an important platform for joining up key issues of emissions and contamination, resource use and depletion, and ecological destruction, as well as challenges of equitable human development, health, and well-being.
In recent years, the sciences have made considerable advances in understanding the nature of our settlements, and the urgent need to reform our “business as usual” practices. The New Urban Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals – both adopted by acclamation by all 193 member states of the United Nations – reflect many of these advances, and both documents plainly state the powerful case for reform. But the systems by which we plan, design and build, are still “locked in” to many of the old and failing practices that have brought us to crisis. Breakthrough approaches to reform are needed.
At the same time, many citizens are increasingly mobilized to oppose projects that they see as incompatible, even ugly, and degrading of their quality of life. In a democracy, they have a right to be heard, and to be taken seriously. Moreover, the research shows a clear divergence between the citizens and the specialists who carry out much of the building work – and the research also reveals why experts can lose touch with both the needs of their users, and the urgency of genuine reform. This scientific knowledge can help to guide us to more effective reform, and to the crucial transition to a healthier urban world.
This conference will focus on that missing gap: from understanding to action, in transitioning to more ecological ways of building and settling. We will gather in Poundbury, a new urban extension developed under the guidance of the UK’s Charles III, along with many collaborators over three decades. Poundbury is a fitting venue, and a remarkable laboratory of multiple experiments in ecological technology, socially supportive design, and economic opportunity for all. It demonstrates an impressive departure from “business as usual,” with instructive lessons on its successes as well as its remaining challenges.”

Further details about IMCL and the conference can be found here

A founder partner of Burrell Foley Fischer, John has specialist expertise in urban design, masterplanning, working with communities, and the imaginative re-use of historic buildings, streetscapes, and city spaces. He has been at the forefront of the movement to create a more intelligent and sustainable approach to Urban Design and Planning. His pioneering research work, designs and built projects demonstrate the importance of the reuse of brownfield sites, excellence in architectural and urban design and the importance of understanding people and communities.

John’s research has led to numerous publications and he has served on several advisory bodies. His paper ‘City Continuity, Community’ and projects presented at the 2017 International Making Cities Liveable Conference in New Mexico received the Honour Prize. He was subsequently invited to join the IMCL Board.

Plans submitted for the restoration of the Grade II* Highbury Hall in Birmingham

September 20, 2023

Applications for Planning Permission and Listed Building Consent for the restoration of the Grade II* Highbury Hall in Birmingham have been lodged. The submission to the National Lottery Heritage Fund to release the grant award for the Delivery Phase has also been made. These represent significant milestones in this important project.

Burrell Foley Fischer are working with the Chamberlain Highbury Trust and Birmingham City Council on plans to restore Highbury, a Grade II* listed building, which was commissioned as his Birmingham residence by Joseph Chamberlain in 1878, two years after he became member of parliament for Birmingham. It took its name from the Highbury area of London, where Chamberlain had lived as a child. The south facing grounds of 30 acres associated with Highbury were mainly landscaped by Edward Milner in 1879.

The aspiration for the project is to make Highbury fully accessible to everyone and regain its rightful place in Birmingham’s historical and cultural landscape. Most importantly, the Trust want Highbury “to engage young people from all backgrounds and encourage them to take inspiration from the Chamberlain family heritage”. They want them to “critically reflect upon leadership in all its forms and to take their place in the future of the region and country”.

“Inspired and informed by the story of the Chamberlain Family and the history and heritage of the house and grounds, the restored Highbury estate will be a vibrant, well used place. Young people will come to develop leadership and governance skills, local people will be able to participate in an inclusive and diverse programme of activities, and visitors to the City will be welcome to enjoy a unique heritage attraction.
Its green space will be open year-round, will be free to visit and will provide a relaxed learning space with nature and conservation at its heart. Highbury will contribute to the economic vitality of the local area by providing space and facilities for local people to build businesses and nurture community organisations.”
Chamberlain Highbury Trust’s vision

The restored Mansion will include:

Visitor heritage attraction
Cafe
Wedding and events hire
Leadership training
Education activities for groups and schools
Small Business and enterprise spaces
Rooms for hire for the community
Café kiosk outdoors and courtyard seating

Significant milestones reached in the restoration of the Grade II* Listed Great Yarmouth Winter Gardens

September 19, 2023

Applications for Planning Permission and Listed Building Consent for the restoration of the Grade II* Great Yarmouth Winter Gardens have been lodged. The submission to the National Lottery Heritage Fund to release the 2021 grant award for the Delivery Phase has also been made. These represent significant milestones in this important project.

It has also been announced that Faye Davies, who is leading the Design Team for the restoration project, will be conducting tours of the building this autumn, as part of the 2023 Festival of Architecture Norwich and Norfolk, organised by RIBA Norfolk.

The last survivor of a British seaside tradition, following restoration, the Winter Gardens will once again become a colourful and animated People’s Palace at the heart of the town’s life, economy, and heritage. The project will return the magnificent cast-iron structure to a year-round attraction, incorporating a range of new additions to transform it into a flexible entertainment space, with food and beverage. Alongside planting, the building will include an event space with stage and seating; restaurant and bar; and a multi-purpose activity space hosting various activities and encouraging engagement with the history and plants.

Designed by architects John Watson and William Harvey, the Winter Gardens were first built in Torquay between 1878 and 1881. They were not however a commercial success in the town and were sold for £1,300 to Great Yarmouth. The building was dismantled in sections, transported by barge to Norfolk, and re-erected by the entrance to Wellington Pier in 1904. The Winter Gardens, when erected on Great Yarmouth’s Golden Mile, was described as a ‘people’s palace of glass and steel, a seafront cathedral of light; the shock of the new, the future washed up on a Norfolk beach’.

Historically, the building was filled with exotic plants which allowed the public the chance to see glimpses of faraway places, through an eclectic collection of flora from all corners of the Empire and beyond. Over the decades the use of the Winter Gardens changed to reflect the changing times – often providing large scale and much-loved commercial operations in the food, beverage and events and celebrations markets. After some years as an amusements and entertainment operation, the Winter Gardens closed in 2008 after over 100 years offering a continuous entertainment attraction.

Since then, the Council has sought to find a way of securing the preservation and future of the building, and to return it to the fundamental purposes of its original intention – to provide amenity, enjoyment and learning for local people and visitors to the town. Burrell Foley Fischer’s scheme assisted them with securing nearly £10m of funding for the project from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, as one of just five projects to be supported under their Heritage Horizons Awards scheme.

When restored, The Winter Gardens will be a powerful commercial contributor to the regeneration of Great Yarmouth’s seafront and an innovative, exemplar, environmental project.

The restored frame and new interventions are designed to give a calming backdrop to the vibrant planting scheme and flexible space within the listed building. The historic cast and wrought iron structure will be repaired and repainted to the original off-white colour, with upgraded timber frames and glazing. The new elements will complement the listed structure with a simple contemporary style that will dialogue with the listed building. It will show natural colours and materials palette such as timber, sandy tone terrazzo, and terracotta within a painted new steel frame, providing structural support to the historic cast iron.

The new scheme aims to achieve challenging sustainability targets for a building of this nature and has implemented a 'Net Zero Carbon in Operation' strategy. Passive techniques have been developed to heat, cool and ventilate the space with the minimal use of energy and resources. It will sensitively balance the need for a comfortable environment for people and a suitable environment for plants. The planting scheme will enhance biodiversity, with plants palettes that will bring together endemic species, Victorian Planting such as ferns, geraniums, palm trees, as well as native species from countries around the world linked to Great Yarmouth former trading routes.

Further details of the proposals can be found here.

Faye, together with Stacy Cosham, Project Coordinator at GYBC’s Capital Projects Office and Rachel Daniel, the council’s Winter Gardens partnership and engagement co-ordinator, will lead a hard hat tour of the building. The tours will provides a unique opportunity to view the historic structure before restoration begins and find out more about the redevelopment plans. Further details and how to book can be found here.

York Guildhall wins LABC Yorkshire Regional Award

September 15, 2023

The remodelling and conservation of York Guildhall, led by Burrell Foley Fischer, has been announced as the winner of the 2023 LABC Yorkshire Award for Best Non-residential Extension, Alteration or Conversion and a National LABC Awards finalist.

Local Authority Building Control (LABC) represents all local authority building control teams in England and Wales. Their annual Building Excellence Awards celebrate achievements in the construction industry and recognise quality in all types of building project and individual contributions in the construction industry. They reward excellent buildings, outstanding companies, and partnerships and individuals that go that extra mile.

The main hall suffered significant bomb damage during the second world war and since its reopening in 1960 had received only reactive repairs, putting the building at risk. The project has secured the future of the Guildhall complex, through the delivery of an economically viable and sustainable scheme. It has delivered a comprehensive refurbishment, together with new build interventions as necessary to re-purpose the complex for a new use.

The Guildhall now goes forward to compete against the category winners in each of the regions at the National LABC Awards to be held in London early next year. Full details of all the winners can be found on the LABC Website.

Helen Grassly participates in the International Theatre Engineering and Architecture Conference

September 06, 2023

Helen Grassly has been invited to participate in this year’s International Theatre Engineering and Architecture Conference. The ITEAC is the leading international gathering for those involved in the planning, design, construction, specification and operation of places of entertainment. It happens every four years, and the next edition promises to be the most diverse and learned conference since the event’s inception in 2002.

Helen will be participating in the session titled What's New in Architecture?. Presentations will offer a round-up of new theatre architecture from across the world, starting with the regeneration of an architectural masterpiece, Sydney Opera House, and moving on to new architecture that ranges from the spectacular to the thoughtful, including Perelman Theatre, New York and the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre, India.

The session will be chaired by Joshua Dachs, (Principal-in-Charge, Fisher Dachs Associates, USA), and will include a panel discussion, where Helen will be joined by Mark Ager (Marketing Director, XM Automation), Sébastien Jouan (Design-led Acoustician, Paris), Jon Morgan (Director, Theatres Trust), Lucy Osborne (Stage Designer and Theatre Consultant) and Claire Walker (Joint CEO of SOLT & UK Theatre).

Helen is a Director of Burrell Foley Fischer. Her expertise includes delivering the highest quality projects for the arts sector and the creative refurbishment of existing buildings. She has a passion for the detailed making of buildings, particularly in sensitive historic contexts. Helen enjoys the preliminary analysis of existing buildings and the creation of concept designs for in-situ clients and then working with a redevelopment team to bring projects through the construction process to a successful completion. A philosophy runs throughout Helen’s projects, finding the best ways to unlock the potential of existing buildings; finding new and sustainable ways for them to continue to make a positive contribution to owners, users and wider communities.

Helen was the Director responsible for the delivery of BFF’s £17m refurbishment and remodelling of the 1350 seat Grade II* Listed Hall for Cornwall in Truro. The project has increased audience capacity but with a more intimate atmosphere and excellent sightlines. Heritage elements are conserved and brought into full use. Improved front-of-house, with new bar areas on both sides, and back-of-house facilities are provided, with universal access throughout. The ‘Husa’ creative hub spaces provide support to creative businesses looking to the future.

Helen is currently working with Worcester City Council on designs for an attractive new arts venue, that will become a popular hub for culture, live entertainment and the arts community and contribute to the regeneration of the Northern sector of the city. It is proposed to be created within the existing Grade II Listed Corn Exchange and the historic Scala Theatre, Worcester's original 1920s cinema, returning the latter to its original purpose as one of the city’s main entertainment destinations.

The ITEAC conference will be held on 19th and 20th September, in person at the IET, Savoy Place in London and simulcast across the world for virtual participants. The Whats new in Architecture? session is to held on the afternoon of the second day. Full details of the conference and details of how to book tickets can be found here.

Burrell Foley Fischer shortlisted for Public Building Architect of the Year

August 02, 2023

We are thrilled to announce that Burrell Foley Fischer are finalists for Public Building Architect of the Year at the 2023 BDOnline Architect of the Year Awards. The prestigious awards recognise architectural firms for a body of work in a particular sector. BFF submitted four Public Building projects as examples of our work, either recently completed or currently in progress.

York Guildhall

Hall for Cornwall

The refurbishment and remodelling of the Grade II* Listed Hall For Cornwall has increased its audience capacity, conserved and restored its important heritage elements and brought them into better use. The new, three-tiered theatre space has provided a new dynamic relationship between performer and audience and enabled the organisation to deliver their artistic vision. Improved access to Arts and Culture for the community of Cornwall will result, together with the facilities required to support a sustainable business model for the organisation.

Birmingham Roundhouse

The Roundhouse, Listed Grade II*, is one of Birmingham’s most interesting, and iconic, industrial heritage buildings. A pioneering partnership between the Canal & River Trust and the National Trust, with funding from the NLHF Heritage Enterprise programme, has brought it back to life through an innovative blend of heritage and enterprise. The 19th century canal-side building has been transformed into a hub from which to explore the city by foot, bike or water. The reopened building is a thriving home to local businesses and enterprise and includes a visitor centre, café, kayak hire, facilities for volunteers and shared working space.

Winter Gardens, Great Yarmouth

The last survivor of a British seaside tradition, following restoration, the Grade II* Winter Gardens will once again become a colourful and animated People’s Palace at the heart of the town’s life, economy, and heritage. The project will return the magnificent cast-iron structure to a year-round attraction, incorporating a range of new additions to transform it into a flexible entertainment space, with food and beverage. Alongside planting, the building will include an event space with stage and seating; restaurant and bar; and a multi-purpose activity space hosting various activities and encouraging engagement with the history and plants.

The full list of finalists for the awards can be found here. The winners will be announced at a ceremony in London this October.

Public Consultation on plans for the restoration of the Grade II* Listed Winter Gardens in Great Yarmouth announced

July 24, 2023

Burrell Foley Fischer’s plans for the restoration of the Grade II* Great Yarmouth Winter Gardens will be discussed at consultation events open to the public over the coming weeks. The project team is currently running a series of community engagement events to share designs for the space and gather feedback and ideas from local groups.

Proposed entrance

Historically, the building was filled with exotic plants which allowed the paying public the chance to see glimpses of faraway places, through an eclectic collection of flora from all corners of the Empire and beyond. Over the decades the use of the Winter Gardens changed to reflect the changing times – often providing large scale and much-loved commercial operations in the food, beverage and events and celebrations markets. After some years as an amusements and entertainment operation, the Winter Gardens closed in 2008 after over 100 years offering a continuous entertainment attraction.

When restored, The Winter Gardens will be a powerful commercial contributor to the regeneration of Great Yarmouth’s seafront and an innovative, exemplar, environmental project. The restored venue is expected to have two coherent and integrated parts:

A visitor experience for exploring the heritage of the Winter Gardens and Great Yarmouth focusing on heritage, environmental change and sustainability.
A food and drink offer with a commercial operator partner.

The look and feel of the restored building is designed to give a calming backdrop to the vibrant flexible space within. All of the existing cast and wrought iron structure will be repaired and repainted the original off-white colour. Taking inspiration from the colours of a sea thistle, new interventions will be painted a pale green-blue to distinguish the old from the new.

The new scheme aims to be as sustainable as possible and has implemented a 'Net Zero Carbon in Operation' strategy. Passive techniques have been developed to heat, cool and ventilate the space with the minimal use of energy and resources. The planting proposal is sensitive to the need to balance a comfortable environment for people with a suitable environment for plants. Species will refer to the Victorian Planting, using ferns, geraniums, orchids, and palm trees. Reference to trading routes will also be reflected in the chosen species. New external landscaping and public seating will be provided.

Entrance to the main building, reminiscent of the Victorian era

Cllr James Bensly, Portfolio Holder for Tourism, Culture and Coastal Management, said

“The overall ambition is to repair and revive the Winter Gardens as a year-round visitor attraction that makes the most of the unique building, its seafront location and its horticultural heritage and we really encourage people to have their say.”

Further details of the proposals can be found here.

Almeida Theatre featured in review of theatres created over the last century

July 19, 2023

A new book “Theatre Spaces 1920 - 2020, Finding the Fun in Functionalism” by renowned theatre designer Iain MacKintosh, is a lavishly illustrated hands-on account of the creation of new theatre spaces spanning a century. The Almeida in Islington is amongst those featured, a theatre designed by Burrell Foley Fischer, working with successive generations of directors since shortly after its inception as a theatre in 1980.

Iain describes the Almeida as follows:

“Reflections on what the nineteenth century can offer theatricality as an antidote to modernism start, perhaps surprisingly, with two buildings that had been places of worship before becoming theatres. The Almeida in North London had been built in 1837 for the Islington Literary and Scientific Society. In 1890 it was acquired by the Salvation Army, who added a wrap-around balcony and stayed there until 1955. In 1980 it became a theatre, having evolved gradually under the watchful eye of architect Mark Foley, who worked for Pierre Audi, a young opera and theatre director.
Seating only 325, the Almeida is now a theatre space at once epic and intimate. It has seventy- five more seats than the physically less interesting Donmar, the only other London fringe theatre that has been comparable in achievement. Both the atmosphere and the geometry of the Almeida are special. When in 2014 Rupert Goold's award-winning production of King Charles III was transferred to Wyndham's, they took the apsidal back wall of the Almeida with them, replicated in painted fibreglass. And then on to Broadway.”

Development works under BFF’s direction included extending the backstage accommodation, building a completely new foyer, bar and technical areas, providing new service installations and seating, and improving disabled access and acoustics. The new foyer continues the theme of the former open-air yard where, because of limited site access, the single entrance is used as the foyer for the theatregoers and as the space for the technical get-ins. The extensive overhaul of the auditorium preserved the special ‘found’ quality of the Theatre.

Iain’s book offers a compelling history that is part memoir, part impassioned call to rethink the design of our theatre spaces and the future of live theatre and is available from the Society of Theatre Research.

Planning Permission granted for the restoration of the Old Town Hall and Market Place, Whitby

July 14, 2023

Planning Permission and Listed Building Consent for the restoration of the Grade: II* Listed Old Town Hall and Market Place in Whitby has been granted. The project will build on the history and heritage of the area, provide a key focal point for the town and ensure the building is sustainable and income-generating in the long term. The scheme has secured funding from the Government’s Town Fund and is one of nine projects for which Whitby has secured £17.1 million in total.

*Artist’s impression of the refurbished Old Town Hall and Market Place*

The Grade II* Listed Old Town Hall is located within the East Cliff area of the seaside town of Whitby. The gradient of the site is such that the market square slopes up from Harbour to the Town Hall entrance. The location on Church Street is notable due to its proximity to the famous 199 steps leading to St. Marys Church and the historic Whitby Abbey. After the dissolution of the monasteries in 1538, the Cholmley family bought Whitby abbey and a number of other buildings in Whitby. Nathaniel Cholmley commissioned Jonathan Pickernell to build the classical Town hall in 1788. Pickernell was also responsible for building the Grade II listed West Pier in Whitby between 1734 and 1817.

*The Old Town Hall Whitby, from a woodcut used to illustrate “History of Whitby” published by Rev. George Young in 1817.*

This project will revitalise the Old Town Hall building and Market Place in Whitby through renovation and renewal. Restoration of the building will secure its structural integrity and improve the visual appearance of this unique heritage asset in the heart of the old town. The available floor space in both the first floor & undercroft will be repurposed to provide year-round community and cultural activities.

The proposal seeks to upgrade and refurbish the undercroft (ground floor) improving the current market usage and allowing the space to function as an event space on non-market days. The first floor will undergo the necessary refurbishment for use as an exhibition and community space. New Landscaping will help Create a vibrant and bustling year round market place, with 81sqm of improved quality of public realm and improved facilities for market traders, driving an increase in footfall and dwell times.

Subject to agreement, Whitby Town Council will take over management of the Old Town Hall building and Market Place to fulfil the vision of restoring the building as a key focal point for the community of Whitby. Working with Whitby Museum, Pannett Art Gallery, and other heritage facilities within Whitby, the proposals will create an engaging, inspiring and interactive exhibition space which will be flexible in its use to ensure usage of the space is maximised to its full potential ensuring long term viability and sustainability.

York Guildhall wins 2023 Constructing Excellence Yorkshire and Humber Award

July 07, 2023

BFF’s refurbishment and extension of York Guildhall has won the 2023 ‘Conservation and Regeneration Award’ at the Constructing Excellence Yorkshire and Humber Awards.

Organised by the School of Built Environment, Engineering and Computing at Leeds Beckett University, the Constructing Excellence Yorkshire and Humber Awards focus attention on some of the most important issues in the construction sector and showcase the organisations, teams and projects across the region that are delivering excellence, driving change and inspiring others to adopt new and better ways of working.

“The judges were impressed by the range of contemporary uses the Guildhall complex now supports, and how the buildings have been sympathetically restored to create community provision whilst still allowing for its original medieval purpose as a location for Council and Civic Events. This project demonstrates that even on constrained sites buildings can be refurbished and remodelled to meet contemporary standards and sets an example to the rest to consider retrofit instead of demolition.”

The Guildhall complex is owned by City of York Council and is made up of Grade I, II* and II listed buildings built around a large 15th-century Guildhall. The refurbishment and remodelling provides a world class venue, supporting and nurturing the expansion of York’s vibrant businesses; combining events and exhibition space with state-of-the-art collaboration and co-working facilities in the heart of a historic and creative city, and securing an economically viable and sustainable future for one of its most iconic buildings.

The project has delivered a comprehensive (once in 100 years) refurbishment of one of York’s most prestigious and historically significant buildings, together with new build interventions as necessary to re-purpose the complex for its new use. Best practice conservation principles have been adopted, in terms of the approach to enhancing and better revealing the significance of the heritage assets, whilst incorporating modern servicing and amenity requirements. A Water Source Heat Pump provides sustainable green energy from the adjacent River Ouse, significantly reducing carbon emissions.

As the winner of the Yorkshire and Humber Award, York Guildhall will now compete against the winners in each of the regions across the country at the National Awards, to be held in London later this year.

DARTeC shortlisted for 2023 GAGA Awards

July 05, 2023

DARTeC, the Digital Aviation Research and Technology Centre designed by Burrell Foley Fischer for Cranfield University has been shortlisted in the 2023 GAGA Awards, presented by the Galvanizers Association. The Architecture Award celebrates the most innovative and effective use of galvanized steelwork in architectural projects.

The project is part of a masterplan expansion of the university’s campus and locates the new £7.5 million DARTeC Research Centre as the landmark building for visitors entering the campus from the south. As part of its operational brief there is daily interaction with the functions of Cranfield’s airport with direct connectivity to the site, from the apron taxiway; subject to full CAA regulations on its “airside” frontage.

The facility provides a flexible research environment which is protected from, and yet accessible to, a live airport. This allows research to be targeted at a variety of technology readiness levels. The central building contains a suite of digital aviation research laboratories, surrounding a flexible workplace which brings together University researchers alongside private sector partners in a single collaborative environment.

Outside the building is a fully covered ‘hangar laboratory’, which houses the University’s own Boeing 737-400 aircraft; a laboratory in its own right. To allow research involving high-definition drone scanning of the aircraft fuselage, a canopy covers the whole plane creating a clear-span safety-netted enclosure of around 40m wide. The external areas also include an intelligent movement area, and a remote VR simulation air traffic control centre with conventional and advanced holographic radar systems capable of monitoring and controlling the airspace around Cranfield’s airport.

Our design concept for the project recognised the importance of roofscape for such a unique context where views from above are critical. We set out to use the form of the building roof(s) to create a unique and innovative solution to the technical requirements of the brief, while establishing a clear visual identity for the new facility within the expanding campus masterplan. After several iterations, the final design references stealth aircraft geometry further emphasises the Digital Aviation narrative underpinning the project.

We wanted the DARTeC building to be practical and as maintenance free as possible; developing something of a “patina of age” with time. This meant that for the outdoor structural elements, a galvanised finish was perfect, working with the language of neutral metallic colours used elsewhere and weathering to a soft, natural grey with time.

The award winners will be announced later this month. Full details of all the projects shortlisted can be found here

Hall for Cornwall wins two RTPI South West Awards for Planning Excellence

July 03, 2023

The refurbishment and remodelling of the Grade II* Listed Hall for Cornwall has won two awards at the 2023 RTPI South West Awards for Planning Excellence. The theatre was awarded both Best Project of the Year and the Chair's Award for Design.

The judges said:

“In selecting this entry as winner of the Best Project in the South-West, the judges were impressed with the planning considerations in delivering an impressive Theatre Design which is outstanding and focused on an inclusive user experience.
Given that the Theatre could have been repurposed as a Supermarket in the 1990’s, the Panel considered there is much to commend this project as an exemplar of reusing and restoring buildings to meet current requirements. It’s history shines through with innovative storytelling - via QR codes - and careful stonework which celebrates the many previous uses.
As an example of a mixed-use, culturally led development in the heart of a compact urban environment involving two Grade II * listed buildings, the scheme is seen as a highly successful outcome at a time where City Centres can struggle to maintain their position".

The project has stripped out the old arena style auditorium back to the bones. We inserted a new steel and timber frame across 3 levels, digging down for the stalls and popping up a roof extension. We installed a flexible proscenium and variable acoustic banners supporting a range of performance from orchestral to stand-up comedy. Gentle ramps across the site, combined with lifts, have provided universal access into the theatre, and comfortable seating installed, including thirteen wheelchair spaces with a variety of positions within the auditorium. The seats are covered in durable with a specially woven pattern based on the colours within the granite harbour walls of Port Isaac.

Commenting on the Chair’s Award for Design the Judges said:

"The theatre design and selection of materials to enhance and protect the building whilst also reflecting the Cornish Coast is outstanding. Their focus on the user experience has delivered a theatre to be proud of".

All the South West Regional Awards local winning entries will now be submitted for the RTPI Awards for Planning Excellence National Awards later in the year.

Hall for Cornwall wins Heritage Project of the Year at Michelmores Property Awards

June 23, 2023

The refurbishment and remodelling of the Grade II* Listed Hall for Cornwall has been awarded Heritage Project of the Year at the 2023 Michelmores Property Awards.

The Michelmores Property Awards were established in 2002 and celebrate the very best construction and real estate projects taking place each year in the South West. The awards champion sustainability, community and social engagement and the environmental credentials of all projects.

The project has stripped out the old arena style auditorium back to the bones. We inserted a new steel and timber frame across 3 levels, digging down for the stalls and popping up a roof extension. We installed a flexible proscenium and variable acoustic banners supporting a range of performance from orchestral to stand-up comedy. Gentle ramps across the site, combined with lifts, have provided universal access into the theatre, and comfortable seating installed, including thirteen wheelchair spaces with a variety of positions within the auditorium. The seats are covered in durable with a specially woven pattern based on the colours within the granite harbour walls of Port Isaac.

Campbeltown Picture House wins 2023 Argyll and Bute Sustainable Design Award

June 21, 2023

The restoration and remodelling of the Campbeltown Picture House has won the Members Vote Award at the 2023 Argyll and Bute Sustainable Design Awards. The awards recognise, promote and celebrate examples of exceptional design and sustainability across the whole of the Argyll and Bute Council planning area. The Members vote award is one of two special awards, in addition to the main categories, and is voted for by Planning, Protective Services and Licensing (PPSL) Committee Members at the Council.

The Picture House is an important and rare example of an early purpose-built cinema and it is included in the Statutory List as a Category A building in recognition of its high architectural and historical significance. The Centenary Project was launched to conserve and upgrade it to meet the expectations of a modern cinema operator and cinema-going audience, and provide it with a sustainable future.

The completed development has provided a sensitively restored historic main auditorium, (193 seats) meeting modern expectations of comfort. The unique character of the ‘atmospheric’ cinema, with the ‘wee houses’ around the proscenium, was carefully maintained, understanding the importance of maintaining the look and feel of the space to the local community. A new accessible entrance and foyer in the gap between the historic cinema building and Annexe houses the single sales point for tickets and the café.

The addition of a second screen (52 seats), in a new build extension in the rear courtyard, has been important in allowing a greater diversity of films. The new café bar, with views across the harbour, and flexible education/ community room provides additional spaces for the local community to meet, both formally and informally.

Councillor Kieron Green, Policy Lead for Planning said:

“Congratulations to all our winners. The standard of entries this year was outstanding with fantastic innovative examples across Argyll and Bute of how design is helping to support our environment. We have a great mix of sensitive renovation of historic buildings to green business ventures and energy efficient new homes and community facilities. As we work towards achieving net zero by 2045, I hope people will take inspiration from our winning entrants and create design solutions that not only complement the amazing Argyll and Bute landscape, but also meet the highest energy efficiency standards.”

Faye Davies, Specialist Conservation Architect and Managing Director of the architects for the project, Burrell Foley Fischer, said:

“We are thrilled that the restoration of the Picture House has been recognised by Argyll and Bute Council Members. As architects we understand the value placed on a town’s historic buildings by its citizens and the importance of restoring them to modern uses without losing the look and feel of the spaces which are fondly remembered and loved.
We take immense pleasure in designing cinemas that meet modern cinemagoers expectations of facilities and comfort but are also flexible enough to contribute to economic regeneration and play a much wider role as a hub for the community. We loved working in Campbeltown and are so pleased that the cinema is continuing to delight audiences 110 years after it first opened.”

Further details of the awards can be found on the Argyll and Bute Council website here

Plans for the restoration of the Old Town Hall and Market Place, Whitby submitted

June 09, 2023

Plans for the restoration of the Grade II* Listed Old Town Hall and Market Place in Whitby have been submitted for Planning Permission and Listed Building Consent. The project will build on the history and heritage of the area, provide a key focal point for the town and ensure the building is sustainable and income-generating in the long term. The scheme has secured funding from the Government’s Town Fund and is one of nine projects for which Whitby has secured £17.1 million in total.

The proposal seeks to upgrade and refurbish the undercroft (ground floor) improving the current market usage and allowing the space to function as an event space on non-market days. The first floor will undergo the necessary refurbishment for use as an exhibition and community space. New landscaping will help create a vibrant and bustling year round market place, with 81sqm of improved quality of public realm and improved facilities for market traders, driving an increase in footfall and dwell times.