Restoration and extension of a Grade II listed building to create a vibrant heritage centre.
Scale
Refurbishment and extension of listed building, incorporating 20 St Mary’s Gate, Wirksworth
Contractor
Bonsers Restoration
Commissioned by the Wirksworth Heritage Charitable Trust, Lathams led on the comprehensive restoration and refurbishment of the existing Grade II listed building, with remodelled ground, first and second floor to create four new, accessible heritage gallery spaces alongside a new reception, kitchen, shop and accessible WC.
Previously, the building was used as residential accommodation and the existing floor plan posed accessibility issues for potential visitors.
The Heritage Centre has been recognised by Derbyshire Historic Building Trust (DHBT) with the architecture award for best ‘Re-use of an historic building’.
The Centre also won ‘Best Educational Building’ in the Local Authority Building Control (LABC) 2019 Regional Building Excellence Awards.
Opened in 2019, the new Heritage Centre provides a fully accessible building for users of all ages. The new build two storey extension to the rear includes a cafeteria on the ground floor and meeting space/studio to the upper floor. This has been sensitively designed to be subservient to the historic building.
It appears as a modern addition finished with light coloured render and a tiled roof, and features a large glazed gable to the rear, complete with distinctive louvres for privacy.
"We have constant feedback from members of the public who are so impressed with our building. We are delighted that the work Lathams has done has been recognised with the recent Derbyshire Historic Building Trust award and we are proud to display it."
Chair of Trustees