We’re delighted to welcome Sibylle Metge-Toppin from Richard Griffiths Architects, the architectural practice which led the renovation of the Newington Green Meeting House, for this talk and Q&A.
The National Lottery Heritage Fund-supported renovation of the historic Meeting House in 2019/2020 was a turning point in this building’s three centuries of history. It has allowed the inclusive Unitarian community (which welcomes non-religious and religious people of many faiths) here to flourish further, and to make the most of new facilities - including launching its Arts on the Green programme. The talk will tell the story of the renovation and allow curious visitors the chance to ask an architect just how this sort of renovation takes place.
This event is free of charge but requires advanced booking. Please book your tickets via the Open House website here when ticket bookings open on 20th August. A bar serving alcoholic, soft drinks and tea will be available. For accessibility information please see this page. For any queries regarding accessibility please contact arts@new-unity.org.
Our thanks to Richard Griffths Architects for their support of the event - find out more about the practice here.
This event is part of the Open House Festival. The Newington Green Meeting House will also be open for drop-in tours on Thursday 18th September and Friday 19th September between 12pm and 6pm, and for bookable tours on Saturday 20th September. Find out more here.
Richard Griffiths Architects: Under the direction of Richard Griffiths, the practice has established a leading reputation for the repair and creative adaptation of historic buildings to accommodate new or extended uses, and for the design of new buildings that respond sensitively to their historic context. The practice is especially noted for its approach to the layering of historic buildings, revealing and celebrating the various historic layers, and adding a distinctive new layer to serve present and future needs in a holistic and sustainable manner. The practice carries out work in all aspects of the historic environment, including the preparation of Condition Surveys, Conservation Plans and Development Plans, and has an excellent record of obtaining grant aid from the Heritage Lottery Fund and other major funders. With over 30 years’ experience in managing conservation projects, accreditation in architectural conservation (AABC), RGA ensure that the highest of standards of quality, time and cost control are maintained at all times.
Sibylle Metge-Toppin: Sibylle studied architecture in France, doing her masters at the Ecole Nationale Superieure d’Architecture in Paris, where she obtained honours for her final project on the transformation of the medieval inner-city of Le Mans, taking into consideration the history and essence of the place and adapting it to 21st century needs. Passionate about heritage architecture and their reuse and adaptation for a sustainable future, she joined RGA in 2018 whilst completing her Part III at the University of Cambridge. Sibylle was project architect for the transformation of the Grade II Listed Georgian Newington Green Meeting House, creating a space for gathering with new performance space, meeting rooms, basement extension with facilities and exhibition spaces. She also assisted on the complete refurbishment of the Ragged School Museum in Mile End and recently completed the restoration works for Bedales School arts & craft link building. In 2021, Sibylle became a Conservation Architect, and is AABC registered.
