St Marys Guildhall

Dobson-Grey Ltd provided Principal Designer and Client advisory services services through all stages of the project from RIBA Stage 1 onwards.

The Project involved the transformational works to the historic Grade I listed St Mary’s Guildhall in Coventry. Working alongside Coventry City Council and Historic England, the team secured planning and listed building consent which delivered the restoration of the original 14th century kitchen, which is one of only five medieval kitchens intact in the UK.

The scheme provided greater access for all through the sensitive design solutions by providing a new lift from the medieval kitchen to the Great Hall, alongside a new spiral staircase from the Great Hall up to the Minstrel’s Gallery linked to the Council House via a new staircase at high level within the medieval kitchen.

A new modern kitchen was added to the rear of the building to provide all catering requirements for events within the Great Hall, Medieval Kitchen, Courtyard, Undercroft and the Muniment Room.

A new heritage trial has been developed and integrated into the main design works to allow visitors to interact and interpret the spaces within St Mary’s through a variety of technology including digital interpretation via a Tablet tour.

As part of the works the prestigious and historically significant medieval Coventry Tapestry was restored and installed in a new environmentally controlled display case.

Dobson-Grey supported the design team in addressing issues associated complex local and listed building issues. These included

  • Dismantling and Removal of Asbestos
  • Public and Local Authority access during the construction phase.
  • Maintenance of Plant on the roof areas and challenging access issues.
  • Materials falling from height
  • Engagement of many stakeholders including Historic England, CCC and end users.

The project was awarded ‘highly commended’ in 2023 for the civic trust AABC conservation award which recognises projects that demonstrate the highest standards of historic building conservation.

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