THE CITY COURTYARD
Studio BAD have completed phase one of the reimagination of St Luke’s Church in the Southsea district of Portsmouth, Hampshire.
The design concept has looked to enhance the engagement of the church with the community at all levels, make the physical space more welcoming and restful for the visitors. The concept embraces a phased approach, creating a plan that is achievable in stages, as and when the church can raise funds.
The first phase has looked to enhance the courtyard space between the street and the front entrance, to deliver a quick, cost effective, vibrant and inviting space that will encourage the community into the church. A key element has been the creation of ‘Host Café’ within the church hall, creating a thriving hub for local residence, workers and students to use with comfortable chairs, atmospheric lighting and good coffee. Externally the façade has been updated to make the space more welcoming, with a beautiful cross set into the design that illuminates at night, and the new visible entrance for the café.
Our design breaks down the threshold of the church, stripping back the existing entryway and replacing the front door, inserting additional glazing and refurbishing the internal hall and entry space to make the church a more physically welcoming space.
Phase two looks at more permeant solutions, restoring the church and taking root. Internally the work looks to repair the existing church walls, laying a level church floor with an integrating heating system to enhance the comfort of the space internally. Externally the work looks to root the courtyard, taking the first phase designs and enhancing with a more permanent garden, including the introduction of a planted colonnade and resurfacing the courtyard.
Phase three would further elevate and enhance the building. Internally the design adds a mezzanine level above the central nave, elevating the design upwards and maximising the space internally, to offer study areas, informal seating, also adding private consultation rooms. The design looks to enhance the ground floor space by adding co-working spaces, café seating and much needed permanent storage solutions.
Internally the design concept looks to enhance the existing, adding design details such as ‘Kintsugi’ inspired walls, repairing the existing with different materials to embrace the change and make them art pieces. The Japanese art ‘Kintsugi’ traditionally takes broken pottery and puts it back together with gold, embracing the flaws and imperfections resulting in something stronger and more beautiful than the original. The concept designs also explores different materials for the exterior, such as corten steel, to add a contemporary design element to the entrance of the church.