Archway Learning Centre, Bath

Refurbishment of former Victorian spa buildings in the centre of Bath to create a new World Heritage Centre and Learning Centre.

The learning centre for school and community groups offers three state-of-the-art learning rooms and a hands-on investigation zone set among real Roman remains. A Roman gym and sauna within the new spaces connect to The Roman Baths through a vaulted undercroft beneath the street at the Roman ground level.

Environmental proposals make use of the existing hot spring water to help heat the building and uses an existing chimney from the building’s original use as a laundry, to provide natural ventilation into deep plan spaces. We worked closely with the architect to ensure the main spaces are naturally daylit so electric usage for lighting was minimised.

Funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund, great attention to detail was essential to ensure that the M&E design was appropriate and sympathetic in terms of style and the concealment of services.

The project was awarded a Civic Trust Award in 2023.

“The many parties involved in conceiving, commissioning, delivering and operating the project deserve to be congratulated.”  

Civic Trust Award Judges