As Archangel marks 25 years of designing with purpose, we have been reflecting on projects where architecture has helped communities flourish in practical, long-term ways.
One such project is Downing Place United Reformed Church in central Cambridge, where a programme of retrofit and extension has helped the church adapt to changing patterns of use while strengthening both its financial and environmental resilience.
The project was never simply about improving a building. It was about helping the church continue its mission in the heart of the city.
Flexible spaces that support the church financially
One of the most significant outcomes has been the creation of a range of flexible, lettable spaces. Rather than relying on a single hall or sanctuary, the building now offers a variety of rooms that can be used simultaneously by different groups — from large public gatherings to smaller meetings and community activities.
This flexibility has opened the door to a much wider range of uses.
Concerts are now held regularly in the sanctuary, with musicians taking advantage of the adaptable layout and audio-visual systems. The space can host orchestras, choirs and spoken-word events, with seating and staging easily adjusted to suit different occasions.
Elsewhere in the building, smaller rooms provide space for community organisations, therapy groups and charitable initiatives. The church has been able to support organisations such as Concrete Rose, who run a hub for care leavers within the building.
The building has also proved suitable for civic and institutional events. Cambridge City Council has used the sanctuary for council meetings, while the University has hosted streamed lectures and public events in the space.
This variety of activity means the building now welcomes people through its doors throughout the week, not only on Sundays.
The ability to hire different spaces has also created new income streams, helping support the long-term upkeep of the building and the wider work of the church.
A welcoming hub in the city
At the centre of the building is the Hub, an informal shared space that has become a lively meeting place during the week.
Open daily with free internet access, the Hub is used by people working nearby, meeting friends before events, or simply pausing during a busy day in the city centre.
The adjacent servery and kitchen make it easy to provide food and drink during gatherings, from informal meetings to larger communal meals. Meanwhile the Gibson Hall and garden doors allow events to spill outdoors when the weather allows.
Together, these spaces help the building function as a genuine civic resource — somewhere community life can unfold naturally throughout the week.
Environmental benefits of retrofit
Alongside these social benefits, the project has also delivered important environmental improvements.
By retrofitting and extending the existing building, the project avoided the significant carbon impact associated with demolition and rebuild. Energy performance has improved compared with the pre-redevelopment building, supported in part by solar generation and more efficient building systems.
These improvements were recognised when the project was shortlisted for the Architects’ Journal Retrofit Awards in 2022.
For churches and community organisations, where resources are often limited, reducing energy consumption is not only environmentally responsible but also financially important. Lower running costs help ensure that buildings remain sustainable places to operate in the long term.
Every building evolves as the people who use it shape it in new ways.
At Downing Place the church now welcomes a broader range of visitors, hosts more events, and provides spaces that support both worship and community activity.
Reflecting on the building today, the church team describe a place that is more flexible, more inclusive and more widely used than before.
As we reflect on 25 years of practice, Downing Place offers a clear example of how thoughtful architecture can help a community building remain active, adaptable and financially sustainable for decades to come.
