Whitworth were appointed to design and oversee the repair and refurbishment of this Grade I listed building in order to create a live action museum that tells part of the story of Bury St Edmunds. As one of Britain’s oldest civic buildings its tells a rich history ranging from a court room used for nearly 700 years to the only complete surviving WW2 Royal Observatory Corps centre in the country.
The building had been underused for many years, and had deteriorated significantly. The masterplan spanned over three phases which included a complete overhaul of the roof structure, and included various traditional repairs throughout the building. A number of unsympathetic alterations were removed, access and ancillary facilities were significantly upgraded and the building redecorated throughout. All of the modern elements have been formed from high quality materials and comprise of a zinc clad lift shaft, and various oak and glazed elements which highlight the juxtaposition of modern and historic fabric. Using multimedia the history of the Guildhall comes to life for all to enjoy and understand the rich history of this landmark building.
The Guildhall is now open to visitors, including special events and as a hireable venue, for more information visit their website on: https://burystedmundsguildhall.org.uk
