Photography: John Dawson
The National Trust appointed FCBS as Architects and Lead Consultants for a major project involving the conservation and re-interpretation of one of the Britain’s largest Romano-British villas set in the heart of the Cotswolds.
The excavation of Chedworth Roman Villa in 1864 revealed substantial remains of a large country house first occupied in the 2nd century AD. Victorian efforts to protect
and interpret were outdated, with the conservation shelters failing to provide sufficient protection to the fragile archaeology. This project seized the opportunity to take a fresh look at interpretation to discover new opportunities for learning and enjoyment. A new conservation shelter over the west range of the villa will deliver a stable and sustainable environment to secure the long-term conservation of the archaeology and is designed to harmonise with its unspoilt rural setting.
Alongside the new conservation shelter, the project will also delivered a new education space that re-used the structure of the Victorian shelters. Improved site facilities have been provided in a refurbished reception building.
The design team was committed to solving the complex conservation needs of a precious and internationally significant archaeological resource. The forward thinking approach
to the design allowed for a remarkable solution in which the Roman structures are fully integrated into a coherent architectural proposal.
Awards:
2012: CPRE Gloucestershire Awards 2013: RIBA National Award
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