Methodist Church: History with purpose
The Project
25 Tavistock Place has always served others. Once a church agency. Then a university site. But while its walls stood strong, its spaces no longer did the job.
The Methodist Church saw the potential to give it new meaning – not by restoring the past, but by shaping a future where everyone feels welcome.
This wasn’t just about improving access. It was about building belonging. A home for outreach, worship, daily work and quiet focus – all under one roof.
BW worked closely with the team to reimagine the building with care, empathy and deep respect for its story.
The result? A space that now reflects the values it’s always stood for.
- Project Manager: Faithful+Gould
- Architect: Manalo and White/Orbit Architects
- Structural Engineers: HRW
- M&E: Ramboll
- Quantity Surveyor: Faithful+Gould
Shaped by purpose, rooted in people
A space that welcomes everyone – A reconfigured entrance and lightwell open up the building from the inside out.
Access without compromise – New wheelchair accessible lift. Reconfigured stairs. Even the ceiling heights made more generous. Because good design should never exclude.
Workspaces that support real work – Open plan, quiet areas, and meeting rooms that don’t feel like an afterthought.
Sustainability with sensitivity – Historic materials reused. New systems installed to achieve BREEAM Very Good. A building updated with care.
Every complexity, handled with care
Tight access. Listed features. Overlapping regulations. BW tackled it all without noise.
They kept neighbours informed, coordinated with the council, and made smart use of limited space – even having to build temporary stairs while new user-friendly stairs were constructed.
When the scope increased, the project still landed with only a modest delay. That’s what good planning looks like.
Why it worked
End-User Understanding – BW knew who the space was for – and what would make it work.
Problem-Solving with Empathy – Every constraint turned into a thoughtful solution.
Ready for Tomorrow – Inclusive. Sustainable. Designed for long-term use.
Let’s Go To Work!
