Delapre Abbey, Northamptonshire

Delapre Abbey

Regenerating, conserving, and renewing a Grade II*-listed country house

Location
Midlands
Client
Northampton Borough Council
Awards
  • RICS East Midlands: Building Conservation Award 2018
  • Constructing Excellence Built Environment Award East Midlands: Preservation and Rejuvenation 2017
Shortlist
  • RICS East Midlands: Tourism and Leisure Award 2018

Purcell was commissioned by Northampton Borough Council (NBC) in 2012 as lead consultant of a full design team to undertake the design for the regeneration of Delapre Abbey and its buildings, including the conservation and repair of the fabric and provision of enhanced facilities to secure the future of the site.

Delapre Abbey, situated on the edge of Northampton, is a Grade II*-listed redundant country house with 12th century convent origins, converted to a house in the 16th century.

The Phase 1 project has brought substantial parts of the abbey and outbuildings back into public use as an events space and visitor asset, whilst ensuring that the building is appropriately protected through necessary repairs to its fabric.

Purcell helped Northampton Borough Council to successfully obtain a major grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund and deliver the project. Work commenced on site in March 2015 and completed in February 2017.

Delapre Abbey, Northamptonshire

The works include the external fabric and structural repair of the main abbey building, including all roofs and key primary rooms in the south range for public functions and events. The billiard room and a new conservatory will provide a high-quality catering facility for all users of the abbey and the 18th century stables will be used for visitor reception and orientation, interpretation, learning, shops and WCs.

Careful planning has enabled Northampton Borough Council to maximise flexibility of use; the reception, shop and café are in the stable block with the educational community spaces in an adjacent coach house so that either can be used independently out of hours. The new-build conservatory and commercial catering kitchen for major events can also be used independently, allowing the rest of the abbey to remain secure.

Delapre Abbey, Northamptonshire
Delapre Abbey, Northamptonshire

These arrangements allow the client to maximise the opportunities for income generation which in turn helps to make the business and the historic buildings sustainable. Close liaison with the client’s exhibition and lighting designer has enabled a new visitor route to be established through the 16th and 17th century panelled rooms of the north and east ranges, greatly improving the visitor experience.

Location: Northampton
Client: Northampton Borough Council
Listing: Grade II* Listed, Registered Park and Garden, English Heritage Battlefields Register, English Heritage Register of Buildings at Risk