Wolverhampton Civic Hall
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Renovation and extension to the Grade II listed public building, creating additional spaces for increased public engagement and activities
In 1996 Penoyre and Prasad won the design competition for a comprehensive £10m upgrade of the performance spaces. The first phase of the proposed scheme was completed in 2001. This involved increasing the Civic Hall’s capacity and restoring the original spatial qualities of the public areas, which had been subject to piecemeal alterations over the years.
The conservation strategy was to restore the original fabric and finishes wherever possible, while using a complementary palette of modern materials for the new extensions.
Long glass galleries were added on each side of the building. These house two new bars and discreet mezzanines providing additional back-of-house facilities. The galleries appear to float above the masonry of the original building and at night they become illuminated showcases for the activity within.
Data
- Completed: 2001
- Floor area: 5,719m2
- Sectors: Civic, Arts and culture
- Total cost: £3M
- Funding: Private
- Tender date: 1996
- Procurement: JCT
- Address: North Street, Wolverhampton, WV1 1RQ, United Kingdom
Professional Team 
- Architect: Penoyre & Prasad
- Project architects: Ashish Kumar, Gareth Hoskins, Greg Penoyre, Indy Johar, Jean Murphy, Katherine McNeill, Mark Devitt, Neil Allfrey, Penoyre & Prasad, Peter Liddell, Sunand Prasad
- Client: Wolverhampton City Council
- Project manager: Wolverhampton City Council - Technical Services Department
- Quantity surveyor: Wolverhampton City Council - Technical Services Department
- Main contractor: Mansell Construction Services
- Services engineer: Max Fordham
- M&E engineer: Max Fordham
Suppliers
- Structural glazing: Pilkington Architectural
- Precast louvres, copings : Priory Cast Stone
- Louvre supports and installation : Ancon Building Products
- Flat roofing: Sarnafil
- Rooflights: Vitral
- Curtain walling : James Gibbons Windows