Project Art Works, Hastings

Client
Project Art Works

Duration
12 Months

The Brief

• Project Art Works is a collective of neurodiverse artists and activists, with a studio space based in Hastings. They collaborate with people with complex support needs, as well as their families, to enable them to create art in an accessible and supportive environment. 

• The studio occupies the underside of three arches of the bridge supporting Linton Road in Hastings. The project was to completely refurbish the studio space, making it accessible for all artists and students, and enabling larger workshops and facilities. 

• Hawes were thrilled to be awarded the contract after a competitive tender process in early 2024, with works starting in August 2024. 

Our Solution

• While the works were taking place, Project Art Works temporarily occupied Arch 1, along with an adjacent redundant church hall. 

• Arch 1 was still in use, so we took all safety precautions to allow safe access through a shared entrance. 

• The works involved completely gutting the internal walls, floors, and ground floor slab, as well as the external facades of Arch 2 and 3. 

• The next stage was internal piling and the installation of a new ground floor slab. 

• New drainage was installed throughout. 

• We have installed new structural steel to support the first floor. 

• To meet the accessibility requirements of the patrons, we have installed a new accessible bathroom and WC facilities, as well as a new lift and staircase. 

• We have put in new facades to the arches. 

• Working under the arch of the bridge supporting Linton Road meant a busy working environment, as well as limited access for deliveries and storage of materials. The site was also in close proximity to the railway line. 

• There was a high possibility of unexploded wartime bombs in the area, so we contracted 1st Line Defence to carry out a UXO survey, to detect any bombs in the area we were piling. 

• During the works, we discovered a contaminated soakaway from historic use of the site – we took all measures needed to make it safe. 

More on Commercial Refurbishment

The Result

• This project is finished and has been handed over to a very happy client!

• The students and artists will soon move into their newly refurbished, state-of-the-art workshop and studio space, that is fully accessible for all. 

• The new design has improved the insulation and fire compartmentation of the space, making it safer, warmer, and more energy efficient. 

• These works will enable more artists to use the space, both for creating art, and for exhibitions.