A community-focused project that revitalises the Old Quarter and gives a special charity a new home

Our work on Art for Guernsey’s Mansell Street home continued our longstanding support of, and collaboration with, one of our favourite local charities. Our design helped transform this neglected retail property into a vibrant, modern and functional space suitable for exhibitions, education programs, community events and more.

The project included extensive repairs, new AV and lighting, a secure gallery, an art library, a dedicated children’s/education zone, and accessibility improvements. By peeling back existing ceilings to expose historic timber joists – which we then repaired and fireproofed – and exposing and repairing historic wooden flooring, we integrated a little of the building’s history and character while maintaining the minimalist gallery aesthetic.

The result is a warm, welcoming and stylish gallery space, upgraded to provide all the behind-the-scenes kit and flexibility Art for Guernsey needs. It’s a community-focused regeneration project that brings positive new life to the Old Quarter and gives Art for Guernsey a home that it, and the whole island, can be proud of.

Design Team: Oliver Westgarth, Ben Hewlett
Contractor: JW Rihoy & Son Ltd.
Photography: Etienne Laine, John Ross