Member Article

DSP (Interiors) Completes Work on New Home for The Derby Central United Reformed Church

**Award-winning Derby-based design, refurbishment, and fit-out specialists DSP (Interiors) Ltd have completed work on a new home for the Derby Central United Reformed Church on Green Lane in Derby. **

DSP (Interiors) have been principal designers and contractors on the project to create a new home for the Central URC, which was forced to leave its home of 56 years in Victoria House on the corner of Becketwell Lane and Victoria Street to make way for the new £200m Becketwell Regeneration scheme.

Planning permission was granted in Autumn 2019 to change part of Stuart House on Green Lane from office use to a place of worship and work commenced earlier this year to convert the space into a new multi-purpose facility for Central URC.

Now, an extensive refurbishment of two-storeys of the building has been carried out by the fit-out teams at DSP Interiors to transform the two floors of the old flood damaged office space into a welcoming haven for the Church and its many users.

The project team has designed a new internal layout, which will be better suited to the Church’s community-focused activities and provide improved accessibility for the disabled and elderly with increased security.

The ground floor of the building, which acts as the hub of the Church, houses the impressive new ‘Sanctuary’, entrance lobby and reception office.

The Sanctuary, inspired by the original building features, incorporates traditional elements of the existing building with a modern twist. The original stained-glass windows have been created into new light boxes set into a full height bespoke timber panelled wall.

The old office ceilings have been completely discarded too, leaving the new mechanical and electrical services exposed and creating a contemporary feel.

The Sanctuary also features a bespoke timber ‘Ichthys’ Fish lighting raft, with draped industrial style element bulbs, backlit windows, and a cross onto an oak timber-slatted wall, which creates a real wow factor.

The first floor has been refurbished and now features a combination of meeting and conference rooms, large multi-functional sports hall with creche facility, additional toilets, and a kitchen.

The financial costs of the church have also been streamlined and DSP Interiors have sourced durable materials and adopted sustainable energy efficient mechanical and electrical equipment.

Commenting on the project, Andy Priestley, director of DSP Interiors said:

“It has been a pleasure to work with Central United Reformed Church on this unique project. We have succeeded in designing a space which will serve as a place of worship and will also provide multiple uses for the community.

“We hope the Church will continue to prosper in its new home for many more years to come.”

John Brebner, regeneration project leader at Central United Reformed Church, said:

“It is really important that our new facility is fully accessible in order to meet the needs of the diverse range of people who use the Church’s facilities.

“DSP have done a fantastic job in incorporating this into the new design, especially the multi-purpose hall and meeting rooms. We’re confident our new facility will meet the needs of our congregation and the very important community services it offers.”

Paul Morris, director of St James Securities, developers for the £200m Becketwell scheme, said:

“The relocation of the Central United Reformed Church is an important step forward which will allow us to move forward with our plans to revitalise the Becketwell area.

“The work carried out by the team at DSP (Interiors) has created a first-class facility, which is much better suited to the Church’s community focussed activities. We hope the church will continue to serve the community as it has for many years.”

Russell Rigby, managing director of regeneration specialists Rigby and Co, added:

“A successful relocation of the Central URC was critical in building momentum into the wider Becketwell project. A pivotal component was ensuring that Stuart House could be transformed, repurposed and fitted out quickly to meet the precise needs of the Church. DSP delivered an excellent outcome with a very rapid turnaround.”

Central United Reformed Church plays a valuable role in the local community. As well as being home to a sizeable congregation, it is home to a wide range of clubs and organisations, including parents’ and children’s groups, including Guides and Boys Brigade and sessions for fitness and the bereaved. It is also the night-time base for Derby Street Pastors and Central Musical Theatre Society.

DSP (Interiors) Ltd is a multi-award-winning design and fit-out company that has been providing bespoke interior design and professional fit-out services since 1988. The company works across the Midlands and beyond and has built up an enviable client list.

Over the years, the company has won numerous awards and accolades, including UK Interior Fit-Out Project of the Year (under £1m) at the National FIS Awards; Gold Award in 2017 and Silver award in 2018, for their design and fit-out of Robinson Structures’ new headquarters at Eagle Park, Alfreton Road in Derby.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Sonia Bolla .