Visitors to the website of British architecture practice Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios (FCB Studios) will find a landing page with a video of children playing and learning in a primary school. Despite its urban location, the interior and exterior spaces are generous and well-lit, with large windows offering views of green gardens. Much of the work the practice undertakes emphasizes creating vibrant social spaces that promote community interaction and well-being, which are crucial for achieving sustainable urban living.
FCB Studios has consistently demonstrated how adaptive reuse complements this vision of sustainability. By repurposing existing structures, the practice reduces the environmental impact of new construction and preserves the historical and cultural fabric of urban areas. Adaptive reuse not only conserves resources but also provides opportunities to create new social spaces within a familiar context, enhancing community cohesion.
FCB Studios has worked on projects ranging from the transformation of a 19th-century mill into a dynamic space for music and visual art studios to the rejuvenation of a mid-century brutalist building to support wider programs and improve disabled access for audiences and artists. By focusing on adaptive reuse and the creation of social spaces, FCB Studios underscores the multifaceted nature of sustainability. The office's projects demonstrate that reimagining existing structures not only addresses environmental concerns but also strengthens community bonds, making adaptive reuse a crucial strategy for sustainable urban development.
Here are five excellent projects that summarize the firm's work in adaptive reuse.
1. Shrewsbury Flaxmill Maltings
Shrewsbury Flaxmill Maltings, the world’s first iron-framed building, was originally built in 1797 and later used as a flax mill, maltings, and wartime barracks. The site faced uncertainty after its closure in 1987 until its purchase in 2005. The project by FCB Studios revitalized the derelict Grade 1 listed structure into an adaptable workspace, leisure destination, and social enterprise hub. Key features include a ground-floor learning space, a public café, flexible office spaces, and restored access for visitor tours. Innovative structural solutions preserved the original iron frame, while a comprehensive environmental strategy reduced energy use and carbon emissions. Community engagement and heritage skills programs were integral, emphasizing the site's historical significance and fostering local pride.
2. Brighton Dome Corn Exchange and Studio Theatre
FCB Studios refurbished Brighton's Grade 1 listed Corn Exchange and Grade 2 listed Studio Theatre, creating a dynamic cultural venue. Set in historic Regency gardens near the Royal Pavilion, the project unites and upgrades four buildings, adding a new link structure that captures a former courtyard space. Essential conservation work revealed hidden spaces and restored the original timber roof structure and decorative linings. The Corn Exchange now features flexible seating, sub-floor storage, and advanced ventilation, while the Studio Theatre has improved capacity and technical infrastructure. New facilities include a top-lit foyer, gallery space, and a restaurant. A dedicated creative space, Anita’s Room, supports artists and community groups. This project, part of a larger regeneration initiative, emphasizes sustainability and community engagement, aiming to cement the Royal Pavilion Estate as a landmark destination for heritage and the arts.
Bath Abbey, a central site for Christian faith in the UNESCO City of Bath for over 1300 years, has been revitalized through the Footprint Project. This restoration program enhanced accessibility, hospitality, and service. A key focus was the repair and conservation of the historic floor, revealing large parts for the first time in 150 years and uncovering archaeological insights. An eco-friendly underfloor heating system that uses waste heat from the city’s thermal springs provides improved comfort.
Adjacent Georgian buildings were repaired and transformed into new spaces for learning, administration, and the 60-strong Abbey choir. The removal of nave pews and the addition of flexible seating enhance the Abbey's usability for contemporary worship and community events. The project includes new amenities such as a song school, meeting spaces, volunteer facilities, and an archive room.
The refurbishment of BRE’s Garston Campus involved updating two office buildings to create 3,000 square meters of rental space and 1,200 square meters of office space for employees. The project aimed to provide adaptable, healthy, and low-carbon workspaces using a cost-effective approach. The refurbishment focused on sustainable methods, prioritizing low embodied carbon materials, local supply, and reuse of existing materials, saving an estimated 32,000 kg CO2 in lifecycle embodied carbon.
The campus includes buildings from different decades, and the project extended the lifespan of a 1969 concrete-framed office and a 1996 sustainable office. The renovations accommodated flexible and hybrid working, with features like open plan and cellular office spaces, meeting rooms, and collaboration areas. Ceilings and partitions were removed to improve natural light, and reclaimed materials were extensively used. Innovations included upgrading lighting to LED, refurbishing furniture, and installing recycled content carpets and Marmoleum floors. The Open Innovation Hub now supports innovative businesses with co-working spaces and conference facilities.
The regeneration of Alexandra Palace’s East Wing revitalized an iconic cultural landmark by blending modern infrastructure with its historic character. The Alexandra Palace Theatre, after being closed for eighty years, reopened with a focus on preserving its layered history while making necessary modernizations. This included replacing the sloping floor, installing a new balcony structure, and re-engineering the roof to support modern rigging. The East Court, now a welcoming foyer and public space, features a new artistic floor installation. The project’s design approach emphasized "arrested decay," consolidating the building's existing fabric and adding modern elements that respect its Victorian grandeur.
