Turning a listed coach house and stables into extra accommodation aligns a splendid historic context with an innovative vision for this gallery. It makes these previously unused buildings accessible to the public, and introduces activities that attract visitors. These include a large new education room for the gallery’s innovative education programme - which extends into a courtyard in fine weather – and a café where the original stable stalls divide the space into seating booths.
Extensive consultation helped to refine the proposals, gain support for listed building consent and a grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund.
Civic Trust Commendation 2009
The scheme is popular and is used extensively by the community. The overall design fits in well with its surroundings; it is refined and has successful retained a sense of its own history. The project is comfortable, family friendly and well thought through – and is a good educational asset for local children and adults.
Civic Trust
