50 | Feature: Wood Awards 2024
◄ Set within historic Regency gardens and adjoining the famous Royal Pavilion, the Grade-I listed Corn Exchange and Grade-II listed Studio Theatre buildings have been thoroughly restored, strengthened and remodelled – revealing a rich timber heritage to visitors.
As well as improving connection and accessibility with the introduction of a new foyer space and café, the project has seen the careful repair and restoration of the UK’s longest single-span timber frame through phenomenal effort and incredible engineering by the project team.
By re-analysing the whole structure, meticulously understanding every joint and size, the project team brought the building up to modern design standards with a solution that preserves and enhances the original timber roof – repairing rather than replacing damaged parts.
Through the matching of old timber with
new, the team has created a stunning space with an inherent warmth in its colour, which acts as an ode to the UK’s timber heritage. The construction for Brighton Dome Corn
Exchange & Studio Theatre was completed by R Durtnell & Sons and Westridge Construction Ltd, with wood supplied by Neil Burke Joinery and Weitzer Parkett. The structural engineers were Arup and the building services and sustainability consultants were Max Fordham. “This project highlights two important criteria for the Wood Awards,” said Jim Greaves, lead judge of the Wood Awards and principal of Hopkins Architects. “Firstly, it has retained and carefully restored an historic structure and secondly, the new work has been sensitively designed to fit within it. This team has put heart and soul into this endeavour, and we are happy to recognise that,” said Mr Greaves.
“Every aspect of design has been considered within the interior of this building,” he added. “The historic roof, stripped bare, sits atop a newly restored interior that recalls the earlier use of the building as a riding school. A space that historically was given over to the horses is now given over to the public. “The Brighton Dome Corn Exchange & Studio Theatre stands as an excellent example of restoration and reuse which we can all learn from. The building demonstrates that advanced engineering and skilled craftsmanship allied with a sensitive approach to design can deliver a newly restored and repurposed building fit for the 21st century.” The Wood Awards building judges, a team of world-leading professionals, visited all 18 buildings shortlisted in the Wood Awards before deciding the winner, in one of the UK’s most rigorous assessments for any competition.
Top and above: The Brighton Dome project brought the building up to modern design standards, while retaining its character PHOTOS: FCB STUDIOS/RICHARD CHIVERS
TTJ | January/February 2025 |
www.ttjonline.com
“Congratulations to the team behind the Brighton Dome Corn Exchange & Studio
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