Photo – From left to right: Paul Knotts, Site Manager for HPR, Neil Turner, Director and Conservation Architect, Howarth Litchfield and Glen Anderson, Senior Project Manager, Durham University Estates
The award-winning architectural practice, Durham-based Howarth Litchfield, has secured a further conservation project on a key site within Durham University’s estate.
From left to right: Paul Knotts, Site Manager for HPR, Neil Turner, Director and Conservation Architect, Howarth Litchfield and Glen Anderson, Senior Project Manager, Durham University Estates
The award-winning architectural practice, Durham-based Howarth Litchfield, has secured a further conservation project on a key site within Durham University’s estate.
Its latest appointment to the Fellows’ Garden project is one of several in recent years at Durham University involving Howarth Litchfield’s conservation team.
With this latest appointment to the Fellows’ Garden Outdoor Performance Space as lead consultant, Howarth Litchfield is responsible for reimagining the space as a purpose-built performance venue for plays and concerts, with student enrichment at its heart. Located within a hidden area at the heart of the castle grounds, the Fellows’ Garden will allow for around 100 audience members.
Howarth Litchfield’s role includes responsibility for project management, design, conservation architecture and health and safety advice (often referred to as principal designer).
The firm’s acknowledged flair for design, combined with a strict adherence to and understanding of conservation requirements made its appointment the perfect choice to undertake this project.
Commenting on the scope of Howarth Litchfield’s role, conservation architect and director, Neil Turner, said:
“There have been many purposes for the Fellows’ Garden over the years involving both bishops and scholars in its early days, whilst more recently, it has been used as an orchard, tennis and croquet courts, a place to hold balls and a quiet space for general relaxation.
“When considering a redesign fit for the 21st century, we have given careful thought to utilising the space so that both students and the local community can enjoy it.
“The stage has been designed with a backdrop of the castle, allowing a good view of performances and ensuring optimal lighting conditions for ceremonies or plays.
“We came up with the concept of blending the stone terrace into the garden setting so that while it creates a stage area, it does not look like one. The canopies installed are designed so that they are removable and are fixed within the rear stone wall of the new terrace with their fixings disguised because recent legislation prevents them from touching the original buildings. When not in use they are stored beneath the stage along with the seating.
“The new design also ensures that the Fellows’ Garden will benefit from vastly improved disability access with a lift down to the garden from the existing entrance on the Barbican which can accommodate pushchairs and wheelchairs together with a new accessible WC added to the garden itself to provide enhanced facilities .
“The design will have minimal impact on the garden, ensuring the existing trees remain undisturbed while paved walkways, hardwood bench seats, modest retaining walls, complemented by outdoor sculpture/artwork and interpretation features combine to create a tranquil, beautiful and enjoyable space for visitors and performers alike.”
Prof Wendy Powers, principal, University College, explains how the idea for reinventing the Fellows’ Garden began almost six years ago. She said:
“Since 2018/19, we have consulted with a particularly wide range of stakeholders – including students and staff through to theatre and music professionals, stone specialists and more.
“Ultimately, planning permission was granted because of our assurance that our new garden design would be an Equalities Act space designed for both students and the local community to enjoy across multiple purposes.
“Given that the Fellows’ Garden is located within a UNESCO World Heritage site, any redevelopment work requires skill and innovation. The work is not just about restoration, but accessibility. We have a solid relationship with the Howarth Litchfield team who are both talented and well-qualified to undertake this kind of work.”
Speaking about the funding for the project, she added:
“It also gives me great pleasure to announce that the garden refurbishment programme has been fully funded by our alumni. The total cost of the project is estimated at around £800,000.”
In its role of lead consultant Howarth Litchfield undertook the procurement process to secure a specialist building contractor for the project with the result that Historic Property Restoration of North Tyneside won the work and have recently started on site.
Additionally, Emma Fletcher from the Newcastle office of urban design and landscape architecture practice, Colour, has worked hard to interpret the landscape design brief – a key element of the overall concept.
The seven-month construction programme will enable the Fellow’s Garden project to be completed for end of October 2025.
Business Durham – 7/5/2025
General Business News
