Adaptive Reuse of Former Council Building

South Norfolk House was the South Norfolk Council's headquarters from 1979 until 2023, located in Long Stratton. Designed by local Norwich architect Michael Innes and built by Simons Construction Group, it won a prestigious Norfolk Association of Architects Premier Award for its distinctive hexagonal design and high-quality joinery. 

When the council decided to vacate the building , Redhead Architects were asked to develop a masterplan for a new community hub with artist’s residences. The proposed programme introduces a variety of new functions including creative studio spaces, a library and learning centre, flexible workspaces and wellbeing initiatives developed in collaboration with local and regional health and fitness organisations. These elements were designed to complement existing amenities, whilst also fostering opportunities for skills development, civic participation and wider engagement in community-led projects.

A key objective was to work with the building’s existing fabric, preserving it’s distinctive brutalist architectural and making use of original features such as the former council chamber. The scheme also builds on the potential of the extensive roof terrace, proposing its transformation into an outdoor communal space to encourage social interaction and public use. The design process began with the creation of a comprehensive 3D digital model of the building and its context. This was followed by the integration of Virtual Reality, which allowed for immersive testing of proposed interventions in collaboration with local stakeholders. This participatory process helped shape the spatial strategy and establish a shared vision for the building’s future use.

With the spatial framework established, the project progressed to include detailed proposals for external landscaping and seating, a bespoke lighting strategy and the development of a coherent approach to branding and signage. The overall ambition is to activate the site as a dynamic civic asset that responds to contemporary community needs while respecting its institutional legacy. This initiative represents a significant opportunity for regional regeneration and social infrastructure. The team awaits further developments regarding funding and implementation with optimism.