London-based architecture studio Wright and Wright has successfully completed a comprehensive three-year renovation and extension of Lambeth Palace, the historic 800-year-old residence of the Archbishop of Canterbury situated on the south bank of the River Thames. The ambitious project focused on balancing "continuity and change" while updating the Grade I-listed estate's accessibility and environmental performance across its collection of buildings dating back to the 12th century.
The extensive overhaul encompassed several historic structures including the Chapel, Great Hall, Blore Building, and the Towers, each representing different architectural eras spanning centuries. Senior associate Leanna Boxill explained that the masterplan centered on working with the layered history of Lambeth Palace, acknowledging how successive archbishops over the centuries either built new structures or gave away land, creating an extraordinary collection of buildings from various historical periods. The renovation team collaborated closely with the Church of England, engineers, archaeologists, craftspeople, and Historic England throughout the process.
A primary focus of the refurbishment involved dramatically improving the site's accessibility and modernizing its services infrastructure. The team introduced a new stone ramp at the front of the Victorian-era Blore Building, which overlooks the palace's main courtyard, providing barrier-free access to the historic complex. Inside the buildings, four new elevators were installed to create accessible routes throughout the structure, complemented by the addition of accessible restrooms and a larger Changing Places toilet facility, all of which are open to public visitors.
The restoration work extended to the 17th-century Great Hall, which previously housed the palace's collection of religious texts before the completion of the new library in 2020. Skilled stonemasons and conservation specialists carefully restored the hall's original timber ceiling and ancient stone walls, while redundant bookcases were creatively repurposed into timber panels that now line the lower sections of the walls. The restored Great Hall has been reopened as a modern events space capable of hosting large gatherings.
Boxill emphasized the importance of inclusive access, noting that the Palace regularly hosts charitable events for organizations such as the NHS and veterans' groups, making it essential that all visitors could enter through the same main door. She described how the spatial strategy worked like a "domino effect," where solving one accessibility challenge unlocked new opportunities in other areas of the Palace. This comprehensive spatial reorganization has created a facility that continues to function as a working residence for the archbishop while seamlessly operating as a welcoming venue for large-scale hospitality and public gatherings.
The renovation also incorporated significant environmental improvements through the creation of a new energy center housing three air-source heat pumps. These systems are concealed behind a metal-clad wall located to the south of the site and connect to a series of reconfigured service routes that feed an updated heating system with new radiators. The installation's efficiency was further enhanced through the introduction of double glazing throughout the historic buildings.
Archaeological discoveries added another layer of complexity and historical significance to the project. By studying well-preserved archival records of previous buildings on the site dating back to the 12th century and conducting careful excavations, the team mapped what Boxill described as the "route of least resistance" for new servicing infrastructure. The archaeological work revealed fascinating remains from various periods of the palace's history, including Saxo-Norman deposits, medieval cesspits, Tudor cloisters, and even human skeletal remains discovered beneath the Guard Room.
Remarkably, all renovation work was completed while Lambeth Palace remained fully operational as the archbishop's working residence. During the three-year construction period, the palace continued to host major events including the 2,000-person Lambeth Conference and served as a rehearsal venue for significant national services such as the Royal Funeral and Coronation ceremonies.
This project represents the first major addition to Lambeth Palace in 180 years, following Wright and Wright's completion of the new library building in 2020. The architecture studio, founded by Sandy and Clare Wright in 1994, has established expertise in working with historic Grade I-listed buildings in London, including previous projects such as the renovation and extension of the Museum of the Home in Hackney and the refurbishment of the British Academy's London headquarters featuring distinctive double-height spaces.
