Walworth Town Hall has been restored to its former glory following a devastating fire in the winter of 2013. Having been rendered unusable for more than a decade, the building is now awash with intricate architectural detail befitting its high heritage significance.
In collaboration with Southwark Council, Developers General Projects, and architects, Feix&Merlin, have meticulously maintained the original spirit of the hall, while making some bold changes to improve its functionality.
The property was originally built as two separate buildings – the earliest structure erected in 1865 and the latest in 1906 – and both the former Newington Library and Walworth Town Hall have been integral to the local community for over 150 years.
Today, new workspaces support over 550 workers across a mix of flexible offices and coworking desks to establish a new destination, tailor-made for independent, creative businesses. The restoration and development also provide a series of dedicated public spaces, including a community centre, a new public café and a restaurant located within the dynamic central lobby.
“We made bold moves, such as reinventing the former debating chamber into a stunning, light-filled voluminous space, while carefully restoring its historical features to their original splendour,” explains Julia Feix, Founding Partner at Feix&Merlin.
“Elsewhere, 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.”
The use of cross-laminated timber (CLT) to replace sections of the building damaged by the fire is particularly remarkable. The former council chamber, for example, which experienced irreversible fire and water damage, has had its vaulted ceiling carefully reconstructed as an impressive new CLT structure which provides a modern interpretation of the original design. The bespoke timber soffit and beams are topped by an artificial skylight, created using a recessed barrisol lighting system to bring a bright focal point to the space.
The subsequent increase in height allows the original second-floor gallery to be extended into a dramatic triple-height space framed by a raw metal balustrade, featuring a perforated pattern that echoes the decorative detail of the original railing.
CLT also features prominently in the new ground floor café and lobby, where damaged walls have been removed to create an inviting and welcoming open plan space. A new timber ceiling and arched timber columns bring a lightness to the newly accessible space. The central lobby provides a public meeting space alongside a new café and restaurant.
“Where new structural interventions were required, we prioritised sustainability, using CLT and Glulam as the primary materials,” says Julia Feix, Feix&Merlin. “This allowed us to align the building’s future with contemporary standards of sustainability.”
Heyne Tillett Steel acted as structural engineers from the outset of the project up to its recent completion, designing all the CLT, glulam and steel members. Meanwhile, fellow TDUK member, B&K Structures, was the contractor responsible for the connection designs and fabrication.
“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,” concludes Julia Feix. “Walworth Town Hall now stands as a testament to its rich past and a beacon of possibility for what lies ahead.”
