Phase two of Cornwall’s creative hub now open
21 December 2020
Currie & Brown provided project management services on the construction of 21 additional studios for Krowji, Cornwall’s largest creative centre.
Krowji, which means ‘workshop’ in Cornish, was opened in 2005, following the renovation of the former Redruth Grammar School, to create workspaces for creative businesses. In 2015, Krowji received funding from the European Regional Development Fund and local investors to expand the site, adding the flagship Percy Williams Building in 2015. This effectively doubled the capacity for creative industries on site.
With further investments from the European Regional Development Fund, Arts Council England and Cornwall Council, Krowji secured an additional £2 million to develop phase two of the site. This involved the demolition of the old science block, which was replaced with a steel frame, 7,000ft2, BREEAM ‘Excellent’-rated extension to the Percy Williams Building, creating space for an additional 40 people, adding to the 200 currently on site.
James Wickett, director in Currie & Brown’s Truro office, remarked: “It has been a pleasure to be able to deliver phase two of the Krowji creative hub. Despite a challenging summer and setbacks due to the coronavirus pandemic, the team has worked together well to deliver this phase of the Krowji scheme, giving Creative Kernow and a diverse range of creative businesses extra space to grow and develop.”
Photo courtesy of Ashleigh Smith