Gathering Place for the Public Good
Reinvigorated from an ageing 1980s building into a welcoming centre, Northumberland County Hall's experience for visitors and staff has been greatly enhanced, bringing light and clarity to its administrative spaces while supporting agile working for more than 1,300 people through a remodelling guided by how users move, meet and work together.
Overview
Working in close partnership with Northumberland County Council’s in-house project team, SPACE Architects delivered a comprehensive refurbishment of County Hall. Front-of-house areas were reimagined to create a generous public reception alongside new leadership and meeting suites, a coroner’s court and a restaurant. Landscaped spaces were also introduced to improve arrival and enrich the external setting. SPACE also provided interior design and technical expertise for the wider workplace, which was renewed to support agile working for up to 1,300 employees. The result is a building that feels attuned to its users and open to the public as a civic place.
- Year 2022
- Location Northumberland
- Client Northumberland County Council
- Project Sectors Culture & Heritage
Design Approach
The design team focused on reworking the original building to improve its circulation and introduce transparency. The existing public spaces were expanded and reorganised: the reception hall now accommodates an archive and exhibition area alongside informal seating for public meetings. A suite of meeting rooms sits behind the reception, with modern workspaces for the Council’s leadership on the upper levels. Throughout the process, SPACE used virtual reality to communicate proposals to stakeholders, allowing council management, executives, and political leaders to visualise and refine the complex spatial concepts. This dialogue ensured that the building’s cultural and operational aspirations were fully understood and integrated into the design.
Result
The revitalised County Hall now serves both council staff and the wider community. Visitors enter a bright, open lobby that leads to exhibitions, archives, and a restaurant. The design supports flexible work patterns, creating a collaborative environment for council teams. Since reopening, County Hall hosts the county’s digital archive service and temporary exhibitions, while the restaurant and meeting areas invite residents and staff to gather informally. By breathing new life into an existing civic structure, the project demonstrates how adaptation can renew public buildings without losing their institutional integrity.
“Northumberland County Council articulated the challenges of an ageing, disjointed building. From the outset, our task was to bring clarity and connection to a complex structure. This project has paved the way for a more inclusive and accessible version of County Hall, a space built with all members of the community in mind. The redevelopment also responds to a modern audience, offering an exceptional visitor experience and reaffirming the building’s role as a welcoming centre of civic life for Northumberland.”
David Wise
Director at SPACE Architects
People
Providing an inclusive and collaborative space for allFrom the outset, the project was guided by extensive consultation. Council management, executives, and political leaders worked closely with the architects to articulate their aspirations and operational needs. The new public reception offers an inclusive arrival experience, while the enlarged workspace accommodates a more flexible and collaborative culture for staff. Seating areas, exhibition spaces, and a restaurant provide settings where council members and residents can meet, reinforcing County Hall’s role as a gathering place for the community.
Planet
Creative re-use and regeneration to minimise environmental impactRefurbishing the existing structure instead of replacing it helped minimise environmental impact and conserve embodied carbon. By working with the original fabric, the project avoided unnecessary demolition and material waste. The reorganisation of internal spaces maximises natural light and improves ventilation, helping reduce the building’s energy footprint. Careful selection of finishes and fixtures reflects a commitment to sustainability and long-term stewardship.
Place
Reinforcing the relationship between the building and it's locationSet on a prominent site in Morpeth, County Hall is both a workplace and a civic symbol. The refurbishment enhances its presence with a more generous forecourt and an improved entrance sequence. Inside, exhibitions and archives celebrate Northumberland’s heritage, connecting the building to the county’s past and present. The new restaurant and meeting spaces look out over the landscape, reinforcing the relationship between the building and its setting. The reimagined County Hall now stands as a welcoming civic building that reflects the values of openness, transparency, and service.
Credits
- Photography Kristen McCluskie
- Design Team David Wise
