Conversion of the Grade II listed former Victorian orphanage in Worcester has been completed, securing the long-term future of this heritage asset. The project involved the conversion of the Victorian gothic, Grade II listed, former Royal Albert Orphan Asylum, which had more recently been home to the YMCA until they relocated from the building after nearly 50 years.
The conversion of the listed buildings includes the creation of 91 bedrooms in a mix of en-suite studios and cluster apartments, providing a range of individual and characterful spaces, as well as a range of common facilities and group study areas open to all residents of the scheme.
At the rear of the site a new building has been constructed providing an additional 72 bedrooms, again in a mix of cluster and studio apartments. The design for the new building was developed through extensive consultation with the Council’s Conservation Officer and draws from the features of the original building to inform its palette of materials and elements of detailing, in order to create a harmonious relationship while avoiding direct replication or pastiche. A central courtyard provides enclosed outdoor amenity space for residents of the development. Following our detailed design at planning stage and achieving the planning consent, technical design for this block was undertaken by Robothams, with the Client choosing to procure the work under two separate construction contracts. A traditional contract for the refurbishment of the listed building, and a design and build contract for the new construction.
