Prittlewell Priory Museum and Visitor Centre
The project was shortlisted at the 2013 RIBA East Awards.
The Grade I listed Prittlewell Priory, set within a Saxon burial ground and Scheduled Ancient Monument, required care and sensitivity. Tasked with refurbishing the Priory and designing a new low-carbon Visitor Centre, OR Consulting Engineers approached the project with a commitment to preserve the past while futureproofing its performance.
Our work began with extensive surveys, measurements, and environmental testing to understand and protect the Priory’s delicate internal conditions. By seamlessly blending low-carbon engineering with heritage conservation, our work at Prittlewell Priory ensures that centuries of history remain accessible while minimizing its footprint on the planet.
Our design approach focused on:
- Introducing warm air heating and de-stratification techniques to ensure a stable internal climate while reducing energy consumption.
- Creating a Visitor Centre with a light touch, incorporating passive design principles and low-and-zero carbon technologies to minimize the building's environmental impact.
- Ensuring all engineering solutions safeguarded the integrity of the Priory and its historic fabric.
- Developing proposals that were not only environmentally responsible but also sensitive enough to secure listed building and ancient monument approvals.
