Title

Author(s)

Faye Watson Davies

Affiliation

Burrell Foley Fischer Architects

DOI

https://doi.org/10.65686/ZAFF7133

Keywords

Adaptive Reuse, Critical Conservation, Heritage-Led Regeneration

PP

251-257

How to Cite

Davies, Faye Watson. “Reclaiming the People’s Palace Critical Conservation of Great Yarmouth’s Winter Gardens.” In Proceedings of the International Conference on Adaptive Reuse. Volume 1, edited by Andrea Crudeli, Francesca Molle, and Emanuele Carrai, 251–257. Firenze: STH Press, 2026.

Abstract

The adaptive reuse of the Grade II* listed Winter Gardens in Great Yarmouth, England, represents a landmark case in reconciling architectural conservation with socio-economic regeneration. As the last surviving Victorian glass and cast-iron winter gardens on a British seaside promenade, the structure holds exceptional historical, aesthetic, and communal value. Once a beacon of leisure and horticultural wonder, the building suffered decades of neglect and is now on Historic England’s Heritage at Risk Register. Sustainability is central to the design approach, recognising that robust service systems are essential for operational efficiency and for futureproofing in a changing climate. This paper examines the ambitious restoration led by Burrell Foley Fischer Architects, which navigates the delicate interplay between historical preservation and modern requirements. Key to the project is the reinstatement of original features, including arched timber screens, and the meticulous repair of its ornate cast and wrought ironwork. Simultaneously, contemporary sustainability measures such as natural ventilation systems, air source heat pumps, and low-carbon glazing have been discreetly integrated to meet present-day environmental standards without compromising heritage significance. The project is deeply embedded in the socio-economic context of Great Yarmouth, one of the UK’s most deprived coastal communities. It demonstrates how heritage conservation acts as a catalyst for wider urban transformation, driving economic revitalisation, public engagement, and climate resilience. Through a critical conservation lens, the paper explores strategies that balanced authenticity with adaptation, and the collaborative processes involving heritage bodies, engineers, and the local community. Ultimately, the Winter Gardens exemplifies how adaptive reuse can transform underused historic sites into vibrant civic spaces, safeguarding layered histories while addressing contemporary needs. It is a model for heritage-led regeneration; where conservation does not retreat into the past, but creatively shapes sustainable, inclusive futures.

Edited by
Andrea Crudeli
Francesca Molle
Emanuele Carrai

Publisher
STH Press, Firenze

ISBN Paperback – 9791281661141
ISBN Ebook – 9791281661158
DOI – https://doi.org/10.65686/SISY7263

Year
2026

Proceedings of
International Conference on Adaptive Reuse
hosted by The University of Pisa, Italy
15-19 September 2025, at the Gispoteca di Arte Antica dell’Università di Pisa.