Project Overview
Description
St Albans Cathedral sits on the site of the execution and burial of Alban, Britain’s first Christian Saint, and has been a site of continuous Christian worship and pilgrimage for over 1700 years. The Cathedral and buildings are Grade I listed and Scheduled Ancient Monuments, reflecting their outstanding historic and cultural significance.
The project constructed a new Welcome Centre that would become an activity hub for the Cathedral, and renovation of the Chapter House.
Our role
As Project Managers and Contract Administrators, we worked closely with the Cathedral team to plan, coordinate and deliver this transformative project. We managed programme, risk, procurement and stakeholder liaison to ensure successful delivery. The scheme created modern, inclusive spaces and facilities to support education, learning and visitor engagement, while carefully respecting the Cathedral’s spiritual importance, architectural heritage and historic fabric.
Scope and Outcomes
To improve the visitor experience, education, and accessibility while protecting the Cathedral’s unique heritage.
• New Welcome Centre housing the beginning of the interpretation journey, leading seamlessly into the Cathedral. Discrete interpretation throughout the Cathedral to inform and inspire visitors without disrupting daily activity and worship.
• Focused interpretation in the North Quire Aisle, of the Medieval Wall Paintings and of the newly conserved and repaired Amphibalus Shrine.
• Chapter House made fully accessible with lift installed to serve learning spaces on upper floors.
• Reordered space dedicated to education on first floor and adult learning on second floor, the latter to house the library and space for lectures and working groups.
• All three spaces (Chapter House, Welcome Centre and Cathedral) able to accommodate new activity programme, offering opportunities to existing and new audiences, and supporting the interpretation themes and storylines throughout the Cathedral.
• All visitors irrespective of age or gender, physical or intellectual capabilities, nationality or religion, able to access the cathedral through a single, unifying and inclusive entrance, treating all visitors on an equal footing and setting the tone for visitor journeys.
