The Drill Hall, Horsham
By: Mohsin Cooper
In the centre of Horsham, a 1920s military hall is being given new life.
The Drill Hall—once built for the Ministry of Defence and later adopted as a much-loved civic venue is now the focus of a major refurbishment led by our studio in collaboration with a local church and community organisation.
The vision: to reinvigorate a historic landmark for modern use, preserving its spirit while creating a welcoming, inclusive hub for worship, arts, and performance.
The design approach is one of restraint and respect. Original proportions and materials are retained wherever possible, with new insertions expressed in a contemporary yet sympathetic language. Within the main hall, carefully integrated acoustic panels and coordinated services provide the flexibility and sound quality required for high-calibre performances and community events.
Natural ventilation and daylight are introduced through new rooflights, adding both environmental efficiency and an uplifting sense of openness. Supporting accommodation is being completely re-imagined. Flexible meeting rooms, new offices, and a green-room suite sit alongside a reheat kitchen and dedicated media facilities.
A new accessible entrance from Dukes Square Twitten will open the building to the public realm, providing step-free entry and a more visible, welcoming connection to the town. The sustainability strategy reinforces the project’s future-facing ethos: air-source heatpumps, photovoltaic panels, and enhanced roof insulation will dramatically reduce energy consumption while protecting the fabric of the original structure.
Now entering RIBA Stages 3–5, The Drill Hall project exemplifies how sensitive architectural renewal can sustain community identity while quietly redefining it for the twenty-first century—ensuring this Horsham landmark remains a vital, lived-in part of the town’s cultural story.
