Brighton Corn Exchange is a multi-purpose events venue, part of the renowned Brighton Dome which hosts a range of events and performances. A registered charity funded by Brighton City Council, the Dome is a jewel in the crown of Sussex’s arts and culture scene. The site comprises of multiple heritage buildings, including the Grade I listed Corn Exchange, and the Grade II listed studio theatre and entrance. The redevelopment project has completely refurbished the Corn Exchange, creating a flexible, accessible space, fit for modern use but with the character that comes with a 19th century building.
Working with Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios, we have delivered an eight-year refurbishment project. The works have helped to increase the capacity of the venue and improve the flow of people using the space, while retaining the heritage features of the buildings. Our team provided specialist structural and civil engineering expertise on the project.
Shaping a 200-year-old, modern events venue
Having been built in the early 1800s, the Corn Exchange boasts a rich history. Originally built as stables for the horses of King George IV, the venue has gone on to host a corn market, an ice-rink, and has been used as a hospital during World War I. In the mid-20th Century, a redesign paved the way to creating the theatre that exists today, with the periphery buildings, studio theatre, and the Church Street Foyer being added in the 1930s – creating new spaces interconnected with the earlier building.
To secure the future of this historic venue, extensive redevelopment and strengthening of the structures across all the buildings were required. A key part of the works was the strengthening of, and repairs to, the Corn Exchange’s iconic roof structure to support new theatre installations.
The age and complexity of the structure meant that works on the roof were difficult. To strengthen and preserve the roof, we used our extensive structural experience and the latest digital tools to analyse and mitigate issues with minimal disruption. A point cloud survey – an analysis model which takes a 3D scan of a building across a set of data points – helped to inform the strengthening design. The survey identified areas where the roof had dipped or started to gap, guiding the placement of bolts required to strengthen it. The model allowed our team to be precise with the diagnosis and limit the impact of any repairs on the original design.