The Grade 2 listed NatWest building in Chipping Norton saw incremental development over many decades. Rebuilt from medieval times in c.1750, it was extended in c.1861-71 and then converted into a bank by NatWest in the 1980's. As the building was developed to address specific needs, it became increasingly fragmented and the flow through the building more convoluted with various levels throughout. St Mary's Church in Chipping Norton bought the building in 2020 with a view to develop it into a community centred hub.

Accessibility and fitness for purpose within the constraints and opportunities of a listed building were the main drivers for the development of the design for the new community building.

Acanthus Clews Architects designed an ambitious scheme for the community hub making the most of the listed building features whilst bringing the building fabric up to current standards of insulation, ventilation and natural light. The design features a new 60 seater multi purpose hall at the back of the property with a fully glazed southern aspect wall linking the building with the garden beyond.

A glazed rooflight along the length of this room will deliver natural light to the centre of the building whilst vertically hung hand made clay tiles to the extension link it to the aesthetic context of the adjacent properties.

Unpicking and understanding the historical changes made to the building over time are essential for us to help us develop the structural design to support continuous levels at each storey of the building. An interesting challenge we don't often come across is the bank's safe, located in the basement of the building.

Changes to rationalise the levels throughout the building is going to be challenging. The building is set into the slope of Chipping Norton's geology and has a level difference from front to back. Numerous existing level changes need to be removed and initial trial holes with a site investigation have seen varying ground conditions. Further site investigation work is planned which will enable us to complete our underpinning strategy. All construction works will come through the front door of the bank which will challenge the builders but we are pulling together a sequence of works that will help this strategy.

Planning approval and listed building consent was given at the end of August 2021 and we have now moved into the detailed design stages.

The Branch

SOLID.