Looking to the Future, Caring for the Past
All Saints, Marlow - Grade II*
The narthex before work began
The narthex after completion of the project
Phase 2 of the project at All Saints, Marlow sought to improve the underused narthex to the left of the main entrance doors. The narthex area was untidy and cluttered. An earlier insertion of toilets and flower preparation/general storage area looked tired and did not make efficient use of the space available. The church wanted to update their facilities, offer more toilets and create a new meeting room.
To make more efficient use of the height of the narthex, two floors were inserted into the space, served by oak stairs with glass risers and LED lighting. Three additional toilets with automatic taps and air-blade hand driers, and a store room were installed on the first floor. The second floor was dedicated to a new glass fronted meeting room. The use of a glass wall helps to give a sense of space and allow natural light in from the windows in the stairwell. Additional natural light was provided through an electric roof window.
A DDA toilet with baby changing facilities and understair storage was placed on the ground floor for easy access, along with a flower preparation area concealed behind an electric oak roller shutter. The untidy floor standing notice boards were replaced with wall mounted foldable boards creating a more welcoming entrance space. An important monument, previously difficult to access was moved to a more prominent location and mounted on the new wall within the upper section of the arch and new lighting installed.