Walworth Town Hall has been a prominent landmark in the South London community since its opening in 1894. This magnificent heritage building, now Grade-II listed, suffered significant damage from a fire in 2013, which led to its inclusion in Historic England’s “Heritage at Risk” register.
After years of neglect, Walworth Town Hall has been brought back to life thanks to a comprehensive and sensitive renovation project led by Feix & Merlin architects, in collaboration with developer General Projects. The transformation has given the building a contemporary edge, turning it into a modern workspace and vibrant community hub.
This achievement blends the preservation of the building’s historic character with adapting it to meet modern needs, making it a standout example of heritage building restoration.
Feix & Merlin’s Design Approach
Spanning 50,000 square feet, the project includes the former town hall, as well as the adjacent former Newington Library and Cuming Museum. Each of these spaces, including several halls and smaller rooms, has been redesigned to meet the needs of the 21st century.
The project features a seamless integration of rich historical elements with modern amenities, making it an ideal destination for creative work. The spaces are expected to accommodate around 550 workers, specifically designed to support independent and creative businesses, with flexible offices and coworking desks.
This project is a live example of how historic buildings can be transformed into vibrant hubs that meet the demands of modern businesses while maintaining their unique historical character.
Walworth Town Hall: A Thriving Community Hub in the Heart of South London
Walworth Town Hall now includes a community center, a new public café, and a restaurant within its dynamic central lobby, ensuring that the modern offering caters to everyone – not just those working within. Local community members and visitors from beyond the area can access the redesigned interiors, including the new grand staircase and refurbished ground-floor entrance leading to Walworth Square.
This innovative development enhances Walworth Town Hall’s role as a lively community hub, blending architectural heritage with modern design to provide a unique experience that meets the needs of the local community and its visitors.
Sustainable Architecture Revives Walworth Town Hall
The renovation of Walworth Town Hall stands as a model of sustainable architecture, with Feix & Merlin, led by Julia Feix and Tarek Merlin, incorporating modern features using cross-laminated timber (CLT) and Glulam. These materials were used to replace sections of the building damaged by the 2013 fire.
Some areas, like the former council chamber, which suffered irreversible fire and water damage, had to be completely rebuilt.
This project not only represents the revival of a historic landmark but also showcases sustainable design principles, merging heritage conservation with architectural innovation.
Walworth Town Hall’s Redesign: A Balance Between Boldness and Heritage Preservation
Feix from Feix & Merlin explains: “As architects, our role often involves making transformational changes, and it’s true that Walworth Town Hall has undergone a remarkable rebirth. But in this case, much of our work was about knowing when and where to hold back – allowing the building to guide us and reveal what was needed.”
This unique approach reflects Feix & Merlin’s commitment to blending respect for heritage with a modern architectural vision, transforming Walworth Town Hall into a vibrant space that serves both the local community and visitors.
Bold Design Decisions with a Nod to Heritage
“We took bold steps, such as reinventing the former debating chamber into a stunning, light-filled voluminous space, while carefully restoring its historical features to their original splendor. In other areas, it was about doing just enough – adopting a light-touch approach that preserved the hauntingly beautiful scars of the fire, leaving them visible and evocative,” says the Feix & Merlin team.
Original features like some of the building’s oak floors were preserved and complemented with new herringbone parquet. The walls were re-rendered and repainted, using a carefully balanced color palette, giving the building a modern look while maintaining its historic charm.
This fusion of bold design and heritage preservation reflects an innovative architectural vision, making Walworth Town Hall a living landmark that meets the needs of the modern world.
Sustainable Architecture in Walworth Town Hall’s Renovation
Feix explains: “When new structural interventions were necessary, we prioritized sustainability, using CLT and Glulam as the primary materials. This allowed us to align the building’s future with contemporary sustainability standards. It is a true privilege to work on buildings like this, and seeing people return to this iconic space after more than a decade – ushering in a new era for its future – is incredibly rewarding.”
Today, Walworth Town Hall stands as a testament to its rich past and a beacon of what lies ahead for its future.
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🖋️ Author: – An expert in architectural innovation and design trends.
