Constructed in the 1960s, the old St Hilda’s Church building in Redcar, North Yorkshire, had fallen into disrepair, with irredeemable structural problems requiring a complete rebuild. Architect Chance de Silva was the winner of the architectural competition to replace the building. The locale needed a simple, robust, sustainable building, and the budget was modest.

Early concepts for an entirely timber structure proved too expensive, and the local contractors preferred a more conventional structural solution. The team developed a design through a series of consultation workshops with parishioners, ultimately arriving at a timber-clad steel portal frame solution with deep insulated I-joists for the roof, and conventional masonry cavity walling.

The design incorporates salvaged and restored dalle-de-verre (thick-slab) stained glass and a large cross from the demolished church. A new 7m long enamelled glass clerestory designed by Chance de Silva incorporates the work of local artists.

The structure marries the requirements of a community hall and church, providing a place of worship and a centre for community and recreational activities. Should additional funds become available in the future, the parish may want to extend the building, and the design is future-proofed accordingly.