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St Andrews

Location: Bradfield

Client: Bradfield College

Architect: Squires and Brown

Value: £5.7m

St Andrew's Church is a Grade II* listed building originally constructed in the 14th century and later enlarged by the prominent Victorian architect Sir George Gilbert Scott between 1846 and 1849.

Closely associated with the neighbouring college founded in 1850, the church played a central role in campus life for many years. Following the final services in 2014, the college acquired the building in 2019 with the aim of adapting it for educational use.

Adapting the historic church to create a modern learning centre required sensitive intervention within a highly protected heritage structure. The building fabric required extensive conservation works, including roof replacement and repairs to the flint masonry, clock tower and stone staircase. Introducing new learning spaces within the existing volume also required careful structural solutions. In addition, the surrounding churchyard contained numerous historic graves, creating significant constraints for new drainage and foundation works.

The design integrated the church into the wider college campus while preserving its historic character. Conservation works repaired the roof coverings and masonry fabric, stabilising the building for long-term use.

Three lightweight steel-framed mezzanine levels were introduced within the nave to create flexible study and learning spaces. Foundations were carefully coordinated with archaeologists to minimise disturbance to historic remains. A contemporary glazed link and reception area was also constructed to connect the building to the college. Roof runoff was discharged into a new surface water drainage system based on infiltration methods, carefully designed to avoid impact on graves and tree root protection areas.

Completed in 2023, the transformation successfully brought the historic church back into active use as a vibrant learning centre.

The new facility now houses approximately 11,000 books and provides flexible study areas for students while retaining the architectural character of the original building. The combination of conservation, sensitive structural design and contemporary additions ensures the long-term sustainability of this important heritage asset within the life of the college.

Project Categories

New Buildings Education Country Houses Historic Parks & Gardens Commercial Residential Ancient Monuments Ecclesiastical Agricultural & Industrial Post-Fire Restoration

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