THE OLD GAOL, ABINGDON

Client: CRANBOURNE HOMES

Brief: 43 New Build Apartments with undercroft parking and conversion of a series of listed buildings including an 18th century jail building into ground floor commercial use and 18 apartments above along the River Thames in Abingdon

The “Old Gaol” lies in a prominent location within the historic core of Abingdon with prime frontage to the River Thames.

Street frontage to Bridge Street comprises of the old Police Station, No. 25, No. 26, and Bridge view, that occupies a prominent position between Bridge Street and Burford Bridge.

Our original architectural concepts set out to create an attractive modern scheme clearly contrasting with the Old Gaol building in order that the unique setting of the building is not diluted.

The design language is one that sets out to create a dynamic relationship of old and new and through form, massing and scale, one that provides a sense of juxtaposition given the time span between these different architectures, objectives and addressing wider responsibilities such as sustainability.

We believe that this concept will protect the importance and identity of the Old Gaol by ensuring that the new proposals remain subservient to the Listed Building.