Turning challenges into opportunities: adapting post‑war estates for the future

Many face complex and interconnected challenges, from asbestos and accessibility to ageing fabric, environmental performance and emerging safety concerns such as Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC).

Addressing these issues demands more than technical solutions alone; it requires a deep understanding of heritage significance alongside architectural innovation. 

Purcell’s work on the Grade II‑listed Hilda Besse Building at St Antony’s College, University of Oxford, demonstrates how sensitive adaptation can unlock new life in a mid‑century building. Through careful research into original design intent, combined with targeted upgrades to accessibility, services and environmental performance, the project preserved the building’s modernist character while making it fit for contemporary academic use. Step‑free access, improved circulation and discreet fabric interventions ensured the building could continue to serve its community inclusively and sustainably. 

A recent research paper on RAAC has helped shape conversations around safety, risk and adaptation, particularly within the higher education sector, where post‑war structures are a common and often much‑loved part of campus life.

University clients increasingly seek strategies that balance safety, sustainability and long‑term resilience while respecting the architectural value of these buildings. 

This approach is exemplified by our longstanding work at the University of East Anglia (UEA), one of the UK’s most significant Brutalist campuses, originally designed by Sir Denys Lasdun. Across the Grade II and II*‑listed buildings, including the Teaching Wall and Ziggurats, we have supported the university through conservation advice, refurbishment projects and strategic planning. Our appointment to UEA’s Estates Division Capital and Minor Works Consultant Framework builds on this relationship, enabling continued delivery of architectural, heritage and masterplanning services that help future‑proof the campus while safeguarding its architectural identity. 

Purcell’s work protecting and securing the future of 20th-century education buildings continues to advance. In September 2025, planning and listed building consent was granted for the conservation-led transformation of Smithdon High School in Hunstanton, Norfolk, a major milestone for one of the most celebrated works by Alison and Peter Smithson. Purcell is acting as conservation architect and heritage consultant for this ambitious retrofit, working alongside Jestico + Whiles and engineers Arup to retain and repair defining architectural elements, improve comfort and inclusivity, and enhance energy performance, ensuring the school remains fully functional and sustainable for the future. 

Our commitment to inclusive adaptation extends beyond education estates.

At Norfolk County Hall in Norwich, our collaborative refurbishment created a universally accessible workplace for Norfolk County Council, transforming an original office building into an inclusive, adaptable civic headquarters with open‑plan spaces, improved circulation and accessibility features throughout. The project has been recognised with a Blue Badge Access Award for Most Inclusive Venue (2022) and shortlisted for other national awards, illustrating how thoughtful refurbishment can deliver inclusive workplaces within existing structures.  

The approach to post‑war and modern heritage is further reflected in our conservation of Bristol’s Brutalist Roman Catholic Cathedral, Britain’s last major cathedral of the 20th-century. Addressing long‑standing issues of water ingress and fabric deterioration, our work focused on making the building safe, watertight and welcoming while retaining the integrity of its raw concrete architecture. The project underscores the importance of respecting original materiality and design intent when repairing and adapting modern buildings of national significance.  

Together, these projects and research strands demonstrate how heritage expertise, technical insight and architectural innovation can come together to unlock safe, sustainable and resilient futures for post‑war estates, turning today’s challenges into opportunities for long‑term stewardship, adaptability and impact.