The renovation of the Grade II listed site, which required retention and heritage remedial works and was valued at more than £6m, included the stockroom and costume cottage buildings that were originally constructed in 1850, and the scene dock building constructed in 1887. 

Stepnell also worked to remodel the internal spaces to create a new reception area, costume workrooms, costume stockroom and prop workshop, as well as a costume fitting and exhibition area - which in the future will be open as part of public tours.

“The end result gives us a place to create the best facilities for our costume-making, as well as offering new training and apprenticeship opportunities and allowing visitors to experience our Costume Workshop for themselves in the future,” said Stephen Rebbeck, technical director and project lead at the Royal Shakespeare Company.

Stepnell worked closely with architects Aedas Arts Team to blend the Workshop’s traditional aesthetic with more contemporary elements to help boost its functionality so that staff can properly utilise the creative space. The build, which is now fit for purpose, serves both the women’s and men’s costume workrooms, a dye workroom, an armoury, and a millinery and a jewellery workroom.