ALL SAINTS CHURCH WOKINGHAM
REORDERING & REPAIR
All Saints is a Grade II* listed building, founded more than 800 years ago, which has been radically altered several times. However, the parish is due to grow by about half in the next ten years and the church are very conscious that as the town of Wokingham expands the demand on them will grow. As such there is a desire to explore the possibility of a re-ordering project internally within the existing church to provide more community use and to accommodate different styles of worship. A fundamental requirement of the project is to retain the holy character of the church.
Currently there are issues with the flexibility of the floor space, and the facilities provided. These problems create limitations for the activities the spaces are used for, preventing the full potential of the church being reached. The aim of the reordering project is to give the church the ability to provide better facilities to the area, enabling it to carry out functions more effectively for a range of spiritual and communal functions.
Currently there are issues with the flexibility of the floor space, and the facilities provided. These problems create limitations for the activities the spaces are used for, preventing the full potential of the church being reached. The aim of the reordering project is to give the church the ability to provide better facilities to the area, enabling it to carry out functions more effectively for a range of spiritual and communal functions.
All Saints Church, Wokingham have a Mission Action Plan that has an over-riding vision of “A church of life, love and energy”.
Its four priority areas are:
Its four priority areas are:
- Provide opportunities to learn so we may grow spiritually both personally and as a church.
- Provide different types of worship to make ourselves more approachable to the wider community in Wokingham.
- Encourage all young people to grow in faith by making it relevant to them.
- All Saints to be in the heart of the community, and well known as active citizens.
The refurbishing of the church building to make it more appropriate for 21st century worship and community activities is a vital element for all of these. As such the CC2020 project was formed with a Brief to:
- Retain the feeling of being a holy place and keep the heritage of more than 800 years of worship
- Enable a variety of types of worship to take place for small groups and large.
- Provide an auditorium, exhibition and entertainment space for church and community events, large and small, in a very high quality and largest indoor spaces in Wokingham.
- Be open seven days a week providing a suitable environment for private prayer and reflection.
- Be hospitable, with an area for welcome, a kitchen, and toilets on the premises, as these are essential in a public building.
- Be fully accessible, providing good facilities for the all disabled, with good audio and video systems, good lighting and level access.
- Provide a quality environment in terms of visual appeal, physical comfort, heating, lighting, security, audio, video, WiFi and communications and storage, with sustainability an important consideration.
PROPOSALS – KEY CONCEPTS
PARISH ROOM
Following consultations on discounted options A-D and further work on the Statement of Significance and Need it was determined that any internal galleries within the Nave or Aisles would impact too much on the proportions of the existing church to pursue further. It was also agreed that too much harm to the existing fabric and setting of the church could occur with any form of a extension along the north aisle. As such a new approach was adopted that minimised the impact internally to the main body of the church as well as externally on the north elevation. The new approach is to provide a Parish Room set back from the north elevation and connected sensitively from the clergy vestry. This groups the ‘service’ functions and allows the worship spaces to remain without subdivision. The Revised Statement of Need identified that a Parish Room was required for use by the church for a wide range of church and community functions. The requirement is for a space physically connected to the existing church which is always available to the church now that the Cornerstone is so successful and heavily booked by repeat long term community groups.
PEWS
As with previous options the proposal is remove the majority of the pews in order to create a flexible worship and community space within the main body of the church. A small number of the best pews will be retained as suggested during the consultation period.
SERVERY
A small servery is proposed in the south west corner of the south aisle to provide simple catering facilities within the main body of the church.
TOILETS
The provision of toilets and storage is proposed within the choir vestry with a new mezzanine above for the choir.
LADY CHAPEL
In order to provide some quiet reflective prayer space within the main body of the church the Lady Chapel will have glass and timber screens to provide some sanctuary from the nave and north aisle.
NORTH DOOR
Having determined that the alterations required to make the west tower fully accessible for wheelchairs would be too detrimental on the existing fabric it is proposed that a new opening is formed in the north aisle that provides compliant level access. This additional access point strengthens the relationship between the church and the Cornerstone and will provide a very convenient second means of escape.
Following consultations on discounted options A-D and further work on the Statement of Significance and Need it was determined that any internal galleries within the Nave or Aisles would impact too much on the proportions of the existing church to pursue further. It was also agreed that too much harm to the existing fabric and setting of the church could occur with any form of a extension along the north aisle. As such a new approach was adopted that minimised the impact internally to the main body of the church as well as externally on the north elevation. The new approach is to provide a Parish Room set back from the north elevation and connected sensitively from the clergy vestry. This groups the ‘service’ functions and allows the worship spaces to remain without subdivision. The Revised Statement of Need identified that a Parish Room was required for use by the church for a wide range of church and community functions. The requirement is for a space physically connected to the existing church which is always available to the church now that the Cornerstone is so successful and heavily booked by repeat long term community groups.
PEWS
As with previous options the proposal is remove the majority of the pews in order to create a flexible worship and community space within the main body of the church. A small number of the best pews will be retained as suggested during the consultation period.
SERVERY
A small servery is proposed in the south west corner of the south aisle to provide simple catering facilities within the main body of the church.
TOILETS
The provision of toilets and storage is proposed within the choir vestry with a new mezzanine above for the choir.
LADY CHAPEL
In order to provide some quiet reflective prayer space within the main body of the church the Lady Chapel will have glass and timber screens to provide some sanctuary from the nave and north aisle.
NORTH DOOR
Having determined that the alterations required to make the west tower fully accessible for wheelchairs would be too detrimental on the existing fabric it is proposed that a new opening is formed in the north aisle that provides compliant level access. This additional access point strengthens the relationship between the church and the Cornerstone and will provide a very convenient second means of escape.
PROPOSALS – KEY CONCEPTS
LANDSCAPING
Improvements to the external hard landscaping are necessary to improve accessibility for all as the current cobbles in front of the west tower are very uneven. New york stone paving is proposed to greatly improve the sense of arrival and ensure visitors of all ages can arrive safely. The design retains the cobble drainage channels running parallel with the west door.
HEATING
Replace the existing heated air system with new underfloor heating supplemented with perimeter radiators. This would result in the beneficial removal of the internal heating ducts along the internal face of north aisle and the external plantroom along the north aisle wall.
LIGHTING
New lighting system throughout. Scope to be agreed in due course and applied for under the faculty process. The scheme will endeavour to be more energy efficient, more flexible in terms of zones, easier to maintain and most importantly designed to better enhance the existing fabric and space.
AUDIO VISUAL
New Audio Visual system throughout.
Improvements to the external hard landscaping are necessary to improve accessibility for all as the current cobbles in front of the west tower are very uneven. New york stone paving is proposed to greatly improve the sense of arrival and ensure visitors of all ages can arrive safely. The design retains the cobble drainage channels running parallel with the west door.
HEATING
Replace the existing heated air system with new underfloor heating supplemented with perimeter radiators. This would result in the beneficial removal of the internal heating ducts along the internal face of north aisle and the external plantroom along the north aisle wall.
LIGHTING
New lighting system throughout. Scope to be agreed in due course and applied for under the faculty process. The scheme will endeavour to be more energy efficient, more flexible in terms of zones, easier to maintain and most importantly designed to better enhance the existing fabric and space.
AUDIO VISUAL
New Audio Visual system throughout.
PROPOSALS – KEY CONCEPTS
CHURCH REPAIRS
Repairs to the existing church. Scope to be determined in due course in consultation with the inspecting architect. As part of the works the priority elements of the latest inspection will be incorporated into the work to make best use of the contractors on site.
FONT
Font to be relocated to the South Aisle and the plinth removed to prevent congestion at the west tower and improve baptism services.
DAIS
Reduce the Dais to create a bigger and more flexible nave area for a variety of different worship and community uses.
SOUTH PORCH
The South Porch has fallen out of favour as a route into the church due to the changes in the road network and the lack of a safe crossing point to the south of the church. As such this door is locked and not used. The original external porch doors have been removed and the proposal is to replace these with solid timber doors to enclose the porch once more.
Repairs to the existing church. Scope to be determined in due course in consultation with the inspecting architect. As part of the works the priority elements of the latest inspection will be incorporated into the work to make best use of the contractors on site.
FONT
Font to be relocated to the South Aisle and the plinth removed to prevent congestion at the west tower and improve baptism services.
DAIS
Reduce the Dais to create a bigger and more flexible nave area for a variety of different worship and community uses.
SOUTH PORCH
The South Porch has fallen out of favour as a route into the church due to the changes in the road network and the lack of a safe crossing point to the south of the church. As such this door is locked and not used. The original external porch doors have been removed and the proposal is to replace these with solid timber doors to enclose the porch once more.
ALL SAINTS CHURCH WOKINGHAM
PROPOSALS – MATERIALS
ROOF
1. Standing seam zinc – VM Zinc Pigmento (bronze finish).
1. Standing seam zinc – VM Zinc Pigmento (bronze finish).
WALLS
2. Ashlar stone plinth and frieze to match existing church.
3. Brickwork – Wiernerberger, Con Mosso, Cream Soft Mud Creased Multi Brick. English bond with hydraulic lime mortar finished with a 3mm recess and churn brushed.
4. Aluminium double glazed window units.
5. Frameless structural glass with glass to glass corners.
2. Ashlar stone plinth and frieze to match existing church.
3. Brickwork – Wiernerberger, Con Mosso, Cream Soft Mud Creased Multi Brick. English bond with hydraulic lime mortar finished with a 3mm recess and churn brushed.
4. Aluminium double glazed window units.
5. Frameless structural glass with glass to glass corners.
ALL SAINTS CHURCH WOKINGHAM
CHOIR VESTRY PROPOSALS
The existing choir vestry has become the primary location of storage for the church as well as accommodating the choir. It contains a modern steel structure gallery with loft access for additional storage above. It has been identified as the ideal location for much needed toilet facilities and purpose designed storage. The proposal therefore locates this in the centre of the space to avoid destructive connections to the masonry walls with a staircase wrapping around to a new choir vestry space on the mezzanine level.
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The mezzanine stops short of the north wall to create a light-well to the space below and avoid the existing windows.
The new accommodation is designed as a lightweight timber panelled box that sits almost independently within the existing space, and the panelling module is designed so that the toilet and storeroom doors all fit within the panel structure.
New purpose made storage for music and robes will ensure the space does not become cluttered and remains flexible for choir meetings and rehearsals.
The existing choir vestry has become the primary location of storage for the church as well as accommodating the choir. It contains a modern steel structure gallery with loft access for additional storage above. It has been identified as the ideal location for much needed toilet facilities and purpose designed storage. The proposal therefore locates this in the centre of the space to avoid destructive connections to the masonry walls with a staircase wrapping around to a new choir vestry space on the mezzanine level.
The mezzanine stops short of the north wall to create a light-well to the space below and avoid the existing windows.
The new accommodation is designed as a lightweight timber panelled box that sits almost independently within the existing space, and the panelling module is designed so that the toilet and storeroom doors all fit within the panel structure.
New purpose made storage for music and robes will ensure the space does not become cluttered and remains flexible for choir meetings and rehearsals.
ALL SAINTS CHURCH WOKINGHAM
LADY CHAPEL PROPOSALS
The works to the Lady Chapel involve the introduction of two new screens, the first is a single height timber partition screen within the south aisle arch and the second is a pair of glazed arched screens to the Chancel. The aim is to improve the sense of enclosure and privacy to allow prayer to continue effectively whilst the rest of the church is in use.
It is not the intention to acoustically seal the space as the impact of infilling the south aisle arch would be too detrimental on the proportions of the church. Also the connection details of the glazed arches would be much more harmful to the existing stone fabric if acoustic separation is the priority. With this in mind the proposal is to infill the arches with two full height floor mounted glazed panels that only require fixing and restraint in the top arched section of the glass and can remain clear of the decorative stone capitals.
The decorative wrought iron screen would be carefully retained and the single archway into the chancel left clear to allow easy circulation to the chancel for clergy.
ALL SAINTS CHURCH WOKINGHAM
ACANTHUS HOUSE
57 Hightown Rd
Banbury Oxfordshire OX16 9BE |
ACANTHUS HOUSE
57 Hightown Rd
Banbury Oxfordshire OX16 9BE |
ACANTHUS HOUSE
57 Hightown Rd
Banbury Oxfordshire OX16 9BE |
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