Photography by Henry Woide

This refurbishment of Southover House in Lewes transformed the former district council offices into a new centre for the arts and culture charity Charleston. Charleston in Lewes opened with two new exhibition spaces, a shop, café and a free programme of co-produced community projects, artist-led workshops, gallery activities, and a learning programme for local state schools, further education and higher education groups.

The refurbishment stripped back the interiors to expose the original construction of the building, revealing brickwork arches and a concrete frame whose textures are left visible during this phase of Charleston in Lewes’ collaboration with Lewes District Council. The design of the new interiors responded to the strip-out work on site which uncovered glass block floors and an original chequered lino, both of which were then retained.

Designed in collaboration with Jones Neville, colourful demountable shop and cafe joinery on the ground floor welcomes visitors on their arrival. With a view to a full refurbishment taking place in the future, the minimal interventions worked as efficiently and lightly as possible to make productive, beautiful spaces to host the community oriented programme of events.