The Westminster Coroner's Court in west London has just revealed its sensitive renovation and extension - seeking to refresh, bringing much-needed new space and flexibility to the delicate Grade II listed late Victorian building on Horseferry Road. The design, thoughtful and expansive in its scope, was a collaboration between Lynch Architects and renowned artist Brian Clarke - who brought his stained glass magic to the respectful, atmospheric scheme.
Westminster Coroner's Court: a respectful blend of old and new
The project comprised an extensive restoration and internal refresh of the existing historical structure - ensuring previously neglected areas are freed up and elevated, with all spaces restored to their original glory. At the same time a new wing, taking the shape of a sculptural, rounded roof addition, has been placed on the west side of the plot.
The internal rethink spanned new office space for the coroner and her staff, as well as improved facilities for the jurors and visitors. An important addition is also the scheme's Garden of Remembrance, a dedicated contemplative outdoor space designed as a moment of calm for the bereaved families and friends of the deceased whose cases are heard at the Coroner’s Court.
The garden's opening in 2018 - part of the project's Phase 1 - coincided with the first anniversary of The Grenfell Tower Fire. The landscape brings together simple yet elegant furniture, green planting and a water fountain, conceived to offer a space for people who have suffered from extreme emotional and psychic pain. The design is organised as a series of stone 'rooms.'
The architects write: 'A vertical concrete element, reminiscent of a niche or doorway, sits against the wall of the mortuary. Its outer edges are finely textured, whilst the inner curved face is smooth; you can catch a glimpse of yourself reflected in its surface, a memento mori of sorts. On summer afternoons sunlight reflects off the surrounding red brick walls, making the white concrete figures appear a fleshly pink.'
'The sound of water trickling in the fountain commingles with the shadows cast by the plants, animating the space and softening somewhat the deliberately rather austere and silent character of the architecture.'
Care was taken for the old and new elements to fit seamlessly together. While the current additions do not conceal their contemporary nature, they abstractly draw on the period identity of the existing architecture. An example is described by the architecture studio: 'The vaulted ceiling of the new courtroom echoes the architectural character of the top-lit glass volume of the original Victorian court.'
Meanwhile, Clarke's pieces in glass openings and partitions - the artist is possibly the most revered in the stained glass field - animate the space through calculated accents, bringing in floral and loosely natural themes from the nearby garden.
Dr Fiona Wilcox, the coroner, says: 'There is no doubt the new garden space has had a positive effect on the Coroner’s Service. It is beautiful, simple, tranquil and safe. It is a place of reflection and calm for the bereaved, for witnesses and staff. It is a place for quiet remembrance.'
