Trinity Theatre
Arts and Heritage
Trinity Theatre and Arts Centre is housed in the shell of a 19th century Anglican Church, designed by Decimus Burton, that had become redundant to pastoral needs. Community involvement led to the conversion to a theatre in the 1970s. Kaner Olette were commissioned, as part of a wider Heritage Lottery Fund project, to renovate the historic building, to create access to the historic clocktower and its roof level and create a viewing platform.
The challenge of sensitively inserting new routes into the existing historic building, whilst respecting the style of the original design, is one that creates several design challenges for the project. Kaner Olette’s response is a route for visitors to access the tower through the existing twin cantilevered stone stairs into the main clocktower via new steel bridges and then climb to roof level via a 5 storey spiral staircase. Platforms are provided at various levels for viewing of historic features such as the original clock and bell mechanisms as well as digital projection and static displays that form interpretation for the site.
The viewing platform will provide vistas across Tunbridge Wells as well as interpretation for the Grade II* listed building.
The project is on site currently and due to finish in 2024.
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Completion: 2024
Location: Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Context: Grade 2* listed structure set within graveyard and gardens; conservation area; Designed by Decimus Burton in 1829, the former church has been a community arts centre since 1976Client: Trinity Theatre and Arts Centre
Funder: National Lottery Heritage Fund
Structural Engineer: Paul Molineux
Landscape Architect: Allen Scott
QS: Huntley Cartwright
Contractor: BW May
Spiral stair: Design and Weld/ODACE -
“Kaner Olette have been working on a number of technically challenging projects for us since 2016. We have been particularly impressed by their proactive and flexible approach which has been critical to attain the most from limited funding opportunities available to us. They look beyond the initial brief in a very holistic way and have taken time to understand and listen to our specific needs in the context of a Grade 2* listed building. Their communication of ideas to the numerous and varied parties involved has been exemplary and it has very much been a pleasure to work with them.”
Alex Green - CEO, Trinity Theatre
