A "remarkable" retrofit of Brighton's timber-framed landmark arts centre by Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios was named the UK's best timber building in a ceremony on 20th November - winning the Gold Award at the 2024 Wood Awards.
Set within historic Regency gardens and adjoining the famous Royal Pavilion, the Grade-I listed Corn Exchange and Grade-II listed Studio Theatre buildings have been thoroughly restored, strengthened and remodelled – revealing a rich timber heritage to visitors fortunate enough to visit.
As well as improving connection and accessibility with the introduction of a new foyer space and café, the project has seen the careful repair and restoration of the UK’s longest single-span timber frame through phenomenal effort and incredible engineering by the project team.
By re-analysing the whole structure, meticulously understanding every joint and size, the project team brought the building up to modern design standards with a solution that preserves and enhances the original timber roof – repairing rather than replacing damaged parts.
Through the matching of old timber with new, the team has created a stunning space with an inherent warmth in its colour, which acts as an ode to the UK’s timber heritage.
"This project highlights two important criteria for the Wood Awards," says Jim Greaves, lead Buildings judge and Principal at Hopkins Architects. "Firstly, it has retained and carefully restored an historic structure and secondly, the new work has been sensitively designed to fit within it. This team has put heart and soul into this endeavour, and we are happy to recognise that.
“Every aspect of design has been considered within the interior of this building. The historic roof, stripped bare, sits atop a newly restored interior that recalls the earlier use of the building as a riding school. A space that historically was given over to the horses is now given over to the public.
“The Brighton Dome Corn Exchange & Studio Theatre stands as an excellent example of restoration and reuse which we can all learn from. The building demonstrates that advanced engineering and skilled craftmanship allied with a sensitive approach to design can deliver a newly restored and repurposed building fit for the 21st century.”
Winners in other categories
The Brighton Dome Corn Exchange & Studio Theatre was not the only winner of the night, with HIAVEN, WorkStack, Clare College, Bough Terrace and Rhodes House Garden Pavilion all winning their categories and showcasing the diversity and beauty of timber, from large workspaces through to jewel-like pavilions. Haileybury SciTech and Uist House were recipients of the special Sustainability and Research & Innovation awards.
Among the furniture and object winners were Communion by Giles Tettey Nartey, the Ebworth Stools by the Sylva Foundation and National Trust, Endless Orbit by Oliver Spendley and Karl and Rita by Alex Radivan – each showing outstanding talent in British design using wood.
