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Insight
Home Insights Preserving the past: fit out in heritage buildings
Heritage buildings are some of the most inspiring spaces to work in, rich in character, packed with stories and shaped by years of craftsmanship. But behind every heritage fit out sits a highly complex process that requires a careful balance of sensitivity, technical expertise and deep respect for the building’s history.
Matthew Selby
Head of Architectural Design
Thursday, 21st May 2026
4 minutes read time
To explore what makes this work so uniquely challenging, we spoke with our heritage fit out specialists, Matthew Selby, Head of Architectural Design and Adam Hirst, Senior Design Manager. They shared the realities of working within protected fabric, the common misconceptions clients start with and the practical steps that keep these projects moving.
Our teams have delivered fit outs across a range of listed and heritage buildings, from civic landmarks to historic halls and Grade I, Grade II* and Grade II assets. And while every building comes with its own character and challenges, they all require the same disciplined approach: understanding what needs to be preserved, what can be adapted and how modern workplace requirements can be introduced without compromising the building’s historic fabric.
In this insight, we draw on those conversations to unpack the challenges, opportunities and practical considerations that shape heritage fit outs.
Grade II listed Regent Street Cinema, London
When working with heritage or listed buildings, it’s not only the visible features that are protected. Alongside grand elements like stone façades, ornate ceilings and decorative plasterwork, many heritage buildings contain hidden or less obvious features that hold equal historical significance. Features like mosaic floors, original plumbing systems and early mechanical installations are often part of the protected fabric and must be handled with the same level of care and consideration.
Modern spaces must meet today’s standards for fire safety, accessibility, security, building services, sustainability and overall functionality and integrating these requirements into a historic building without compromising its character is one of the core challenges of heritage fit outs.
This is why even the smallest decisions demand a level of thought, coordination and often formal approval that you wouldn’t typically see in a standard fit out. It is this level of scrutiny that sets heritage work apart and shapes the way every stage of the project is approached.
Heritage projects rely on getting the early stages right. Before any work starts, we take the time to understand what planners and heritage officers expect to be preserved, what the client needs the space to deliver and what the building can safely and legally support. Establishing this upfront helps avoid rework later on and sets clear, realistic expectations for everyone.
A heritage fit out must meet modern building standards while complying with heritage protection. These two requirements don’t always align. Fire safety, access and structural interventions, for example, can clash with the constraints of historic buildings. In some cases, flexibility can be achieved by using guidance like BS 9999, which allows a more adaptable approach, though this still comes with technical requirements and must be clearly justified. Because of this, it’s common for early ideas to be technically achievable but not permissible under heritage or regulatory requirements. By involving planning teams and heritage officers early, we keep the approvals process moving and make sure the work remains appropriate for the building and compliant with modern standards.
Atom bank's new home at Grade II listed Pattern Shop
Working in a heritage building often calls for a wider pool of specialist subcontractors than you would see on a standard fit out. Many of the finishes involved, for example travertine marble, heritage joinery, stone restoration, gold leaf decoration and mosaic repair, rely on traditional skills that require specific expertise.
Over time, we have built strong relationships with craftspeople who understand how to work sensitively in protected environments. They restore original features accurately and introduce something new in a way that feels like it belongs. Their workmanship ensures every intervention respects the building’s character and continues its story in a thoughtful way.
Modernising a heritage building involves making it work for people today without losing what makes it special. Accessibility is often part of this. Many older buildings were constructed long before DDA requirements existed, so improving circulation routes and access needs to be handled carefully. This might include ramps, platform lifts, new lift shafts or new staircases that move through several floors.
Alongside accessibility, upgrades to services and building performance help the space function as a modern workplace. The focus is always on improving usability while keeping the building’s defining features firmly intact.
New lift installations at India Buildings, Liverpool
Delivering sustainability in listed buildings requires a tailored approach, because the historic fabric is protected and cannot be significantly altered. As a result, upgrades typically focus on performance improvements, such as enhancing building services, adding secondary glazing, improving thermal efficiency or modernising mechanical and electrical systems.
These changes can make a measurable difference to how a building performs day to day.
Fit out at Grade II listed Bush House receives SKA HE accreditation
India Buildings is a Grade II* listed landmark in Liverpool with significant protected fabric throughout. The project required a series of interventions, including the restoration of mosaic flooring, recreation of decorative features using traditional methods and the installation of secondary glazing to improve performance without altering the building’s appearance.
Accessibility was a major part of the works. The building’s historic layout meant new lifts and changes to the way people move through the space were needed. These were planned carefully so they met modern access standards while still respecting the building’s listed status.
Given the level of protection, multiple planning applications were needed for the CAT A works, CAT B works, fire strategy and signage. Regular meetings with case officers and heritage officers ensured each intervention was appropriate for the building and aligned with listed building requirements.
The fit out at India Buildings has achieved BREEAM Excellent, demonstrating that strong sustainability outcomes can be delivered in a highly protected heritage environment.
During works in the arcade of India Buildings
Exterior of India Buildings
The Royal Albert Hall is one of the UK's most iconic Grade I listed buildings and the refurbishment of its North Circle Bar required a careful balance of heritage sensitivity and precise delivery planning. Delivered while the building remained fully operational throughout the Proms season. With daily rehearsals and evening performances underway, the team worked under strict noise and access restrictions, reinstating the space each evening before the public arrived. Discreet, heritage matched hoardings were used to minimise visual impact and the work included repairing listed ceilings, reconfiguring the bar layout and installing a bespoke 5,800 piece tiled floor.
With a building of this age, incomplete historical records meant the team often encountered unknowns within the fabric. Careful coordination and flexible problem solving were essential, along with tightly managed logistics due to limited storage and restricted delivery windows. Despite these constraints, the works were completed on time, to a high standard and aligned with the operational needs of one of the UK's most significant heritage venues.
Royal Albert Hall, London
North Circle Bar in the Royal Albert Hall
Heritage buildings have qualities that set them apart and with the right approach they can be adapted into modern workplaces while still retaining their character. Careful planning, early engagement and the involvement of specialist subcontractors all help protect the building’s fabric while bringing it up to today’s standards.
Our work at places like India Buildings and the Royal Albert Hall shows what a well managed heritage fit out can achieve.
Get in touch to speak with our heritage fit out specialists.
INSIGHTS