Octagon Hall, Buxton Pavilion Gardens

A recent ECS project has been shortlisted for a top award. One of Buxton’s most significant public buildings, the Grade II-listed Octagon Hall in the Pavilion Gardens, has reopened following the completion of a major £3m restoration.

The Octagon Hall and Bench Architects, who were appointed to design and oversee the revamp, have been named as one of the East Midlands finalists in the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) 2019 Awards.    

A wide-ranging programme of works began, including significant structural repairs to the famous Octagon dome, replacement of the floor and the supporting sub-structure as well as upgrades to the mechanical and electrical plant at the complex.

Although there have been no further major faults discovered, detailed solutions to many of the known issues could not be fully determined until each area was exposed. Putting these into practice while respecting the integrity of the building’s listed status and best conservation practice proved challenging but ultimately rewarding.