WELLS CATHEDRAL, SOMERSET
Cathedral Church of St Andrew
Grade I Listed
ROLE:
From 1997 to 2009 Chris was appointed with Martin Stancliffe to prepare a masterplan for the cathedral and its precincts, leading to project architect for the development of four new buildings connected to the Cathedral Cloister. The objective was to resolve several conflicting demands on the use of space. The proposals included new education and community spaces; choir rehearsal spaces; new workshops; new visitor facilities including restaurant, retail and lavatories. Following detailed negotiation with the statutory bodies, approval was obtained for four new buildings within the heart of the historic precincts. The award-winning structures have enhanced the Cathedral’s daily life and improved its visitor experience by rationalising the spaces within the complex. The project enabled previously inaccessible areas such as the magnificent octagonal Chapter House Undercroft to be opened to visitors.
THE BUILDING:
Wells Cathedral, formally the Cathedral Church of St Andrew, is one of the most beautiful Church of England cathedrals in England. Situated in Wells, Somerset, it is the seat of the bishop of Bath and Wells. Wells is the earliest English Cathedral to be built in the Gothic style and holds one of the oldest medieval clock faces in the world.
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