Citizens Design Bureau has returned this Grade II-listed church turned arts hub to its former glory, opening up spaces to reveal the beauty of the historic architecture.

Located in London’s Highgate, Jacksons Lane was a church for 70 years before reopening as an arts centre. Over the years it’s forged particularly deep connections with the world of circus, hosting performances as well as a wide range of workshops.

Citizens Design Bureau began its renovation of the building in 2020, with an eye to updating the interiors, reorganising layouts that weren’t fit for purpose, and improving accessibility. Across the years, some of the former church’s most imposing spaces had become swallowed up and turned into corridors or stores.

The firm, which specialises in the cultural sector, set about uncovering some of the original architecture and finding new, more appropriate, uses for some of the building’s grandest rooms. The double height transept, which had been languishing as a space to store chairs, is now studio space, while new windows bring light into the arts hub.

Wooden floors and brickwork speak to the building’s past, however Citizens Design Bureau has brought in a vibrant new colour palette which includes reds and oranges that feel right at home with the circus theme. Other playful elements include concertina panelling and pendant lights placed at jaunty angles.

Jacksons Lane has also expanded what’s on offer, organising spaces to be flexible enough to host circus performers as well as provide room for podcasting or other digital content creation.

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