Garstang Friends Meeting House

The Garstang Friends Meeting House is a Grade II-listed building on Calder House Lane, Garstang in Lancashire. The Meeting House is secluded and detached from the public highway and accessed via a cobbled carriageway running through a cluster of agricultural and residential buildings.

The Religious Society of Friends wanted to provide a secure and inclusive environment that complemented the character of the Meeting House, stables building and surrounding historic environment.

The new extension creates a seamless link between the two built elements; a series of flexible spaces has been created that, together with the new connection to the former stables, allows greater and more efficient use to be made of the building, securing the Meeting House for future generations.

A subtle contrast between old and new has been established without compromising the visual significance of the existing buildings. The curved form of the extension is intended to reflect the form of the original entrance, ensuring cohesion between all the built elements. The curved glazed screen within the new external wall provides connectivity with the garden areas of the site whilst retaining a space for reading and meditative activity.

The main meeting room and stable building have also been refurbished to a high standard improving the range of facilities available. The works have significantly improved access for all with the inclusion of accessible doors throughout. Circulation routes have been increased in width and entrance level sanitary facilities with clear unimpeded access for wheelchair users have also been created.