THE ARCHES

The Arches is a multi-stakeholder regeneration and conservation project located within a series of historic railway arches in Worcester City Centre Conservation Area.

Situated adjacent to Worcester’s new library, The Hive, the project forms part of a wider initiative to strengthen connections between the University of Worcester campus, the riverside and the city centre. The scheme reactivates the historic viaduct arches, creating a new pedestrian link through to Foregate Street Station while introducing a range of new cultural and commercial uses.

The design required close collaboration between a number of organisations including the University of Worcester, Worcester City Council, Network Rail and the archway management team. Due to the operational railway above, Network Rail required the introduction of a demountable internal structure within each arch, allowing ongoing inspection and monitoring of the viaduct while accommodating new uses within the spaces below.

The project provides a mix of artist studios, retail units and meeting spaces, alongside supporting facilities and environmental upgrades including new heating and cooling systems and glazed curtain walling to the arch fronts.

Glazzards were also commissioned to develop a signage and wayfinding strategy, helping to unify the project identity and create a coherent visual language across the regenerated arches.