This project exemplifies our studio’s ability to unlock latent value in complex heritage assets while aligning social mission, financial resilience and long-term sustainability. Appointed to reimagine a historic Victorian church in Bethnal Green, our brief was not simply to refurbish, but to transform the building into a fully accessible, income-generating, seven-day-a-week community anchor .

Our first intervention addressed the most critical barrier to use: access. We reconfigured the front elevation to introduce a new, fully accessible street-level entrance, supported by a platform lift providing step-free access to all floors. This single move fundamentally changed how the building engages with the public realm, increasing visibility, legibility and welcome, while meeting modern accessibility standards without compromising heritage value.

Internally, we delivered a highly efficient reorganisation of space. Underutilised areas were repurposed to support a 70m² community café with active street frontage, flexible worship and event spaces, and new co-working facilities. These interventions were strategically designed to generate diversified revenue streams, enabling the church to cross-subsidise its community programmes and reduce long-term operational risk.

Flexibility was embedded at every scale. The sanctuary was designed to support both worship and weekday co-working through adaptable layouts and retractable partitions, while upper levels previously used for storage are transformed into productive workspace responding directly to local demand - including accommodating artists studio space. Improved WC provision, including accessible facilities on all floors and a shower to support night shelter use, ensures the building serves a wide demographic with dignity.

Sustainability underpinned the entire strategy. By prioritising reuse of the existing fabric, limiting demolition, and adopting passive design principles, we significantly reduced embodied carbon while future-proofing the building for low-energy operation.

The result is a clear, data-driven design response that enhances social value, strengthens financial viability, and positions Victoria Park Baptist Church as a resilient civic asset and a beacon of light in the community. This project demonstrates how we deliver architecture that is inclusive, commercially astute and purpose-driven.