Suffolk architect shortlisted for awards after church revamp

We are delighted to announce that we have been shortlisted for two prestigious awards recognising our work on Southwold Church.

The project, which involved creating new facilities and an open, flexible space to be used by the wider community, has reached the finals of the 2018 Presidents’ Award for the Ecclesiastical Architects and Surveyors Association and the National Churches Trust.

On top of this, Pippa Jacob – who was involved with the detailed design stage and carried out the contract management of the project – has been shortlisted for the Young Church Architect Award.

The works at Southwold Church involved a complete reordering of the west end of the North and South aisles and the base of the tower.

The new facilities include a tea point and children’s area in the North Aisle and a new shop, chair store, welcome desk and draught porch and in the South Aisle.

To create an open area, the back four rows of pews were removed plus a further two pews against the North and South walls.

Buff handmade clay pamments were chosen for the floor finish because tonally they blend well with those that were existing and limed oak was picked for the extensive elements of new joinery because it blends well with the natural tones of the church interior.

Detailed consultations were carried out with Historic England, the Diocesan Advisory Committee, the Victorian Society and Church Buildings Council throughout the project.

Reverend Simon Pitcher from Southwold Church said the impact on the church had been entirely positive.

“The new space and the improved facilities have helped us to offer better children’s services with more flexibility and more fun.

“We have received more bookings for concerts and other events and the gallery, toilets and refreshment facilities have all attracted these extra uses of the church.

“It’s given the church a new lease of life.”