We are happy to announce that the Barnsley Civic has been shortlised for the AJ100 Community Impact award.
HLM are delighted to be shortlisted for the AJ100 Community Impact Award – a category that highlights projects where architecture delivers lasting and measurable social value.
This recognition reflects the profound impact the Civic has on Barnsley’s cultural and economic life, and acknowledges how deeply community engagement influenced the design. As part of the AJ100 annual survey, the award recognises projects that demonstrate meaningful engagement and achieve exceptional outcomes for all stakeholders. It celebrates initiatives that foster strong relationships, inclusivity, and positive change at the heart of our communities.
The HLM Culture team undertook an in-depth analysis of the Civic’s historical significance and its role within Barnsley’s broader regeneration strategy. The design was shaped by its setting and heritage, as well as the ambition to reinstate the Civic’s original community spirit.
At the heart of the project was the restoration of the Victorian street entrance, reconnecting the Civic with its iconic, historic façade and the high street. Alongside this, the project introduced enhanced accessibility, making the building open and welcoming to all, and created flexible lettable spaces for food and beverage businesses, as well as office space for local and creative industries. The former School of Art room was reimagined as a venue for community workshops and cultural events, further rooting the Civic in the town’s social life. The theatre and gallery spaces, added in 2009, have been preserved as part of the wider vision.
“I’m very proud to have worked on this project, which was an incredible journey from start to finish, and is now delivering a reinvigorated community building that supports the new public facilities in the adjacent Glass Works. Working alongside the Civic team and the Civic Trust Board has been a privilege, and they should all be commended for their continued enthusiasm, resilience and determination in driving the project forward, despite funding gaps and challenging timescales. The building now reconnects with Eldon Street through a vibrant elevation, restoring a sense of pride within the community and creating a wonderful entrance to the theatre, while linking the wider community spaces.”
– AJ Taylor, Associate and Project Lead
This Grade II listed building was originally constructed in 1877 as the Barnsley Mechanics Institute and public hall, and has since re-established itself as a thriving, inclusive cultural and economic hub in the town. The £3.5 million restoration project was made possible through support from Barnsley Council, the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA), Levelling Up funding, and £1.6 million from Historic England’s High Street Heritage Action Zone (HSHAZ).
Our cross-disciplinary expertise in conservation, architecture, and environmental design drove this project, ensuring a balanced and holistic approach that respected the Civic’s heritage while creating a building that serves modern-day needs. The result is a revitalised, sustainable, and accessible space – true to the founding vision of a “Palace of the People” – and one that will continue to evolve with the community it serves.
We are incredibly proud of what this project has achieved and thrilled to see it recognised by the AJ100.
