Millmead House

ECE Architecture

Millmead House retrofit redefines Guildford’s civic hub, delivering flexible public spaces and vibrant community uses within a conservation setting.

In Guildford Town Centre, Millmead House underwent a retrofit to enhance how residents engage with their council. The project reorganised reception, refurbished key public rooms, updated staff spaces, and upgraded electrical services, creating a contemporary, accessible civic environment within a conservation area.

As Lead Designer and Project Manager across all RIBA stages, we delivered a striking design inspired by the commercial world while prioritising inclusive community engagement. The reception welcomes visitors with clarity and warmth; the Council Chamber and committee rooms support formal proceedings and constructive dialogue; Councillors’ rooms and the canteen are thoughtfully upgraded to serve daily council functions and wider community activities.

Key challenges included navigating conservation-area constraints, aligning formal governance spaces with flexible community use, and delivering within budget. We addressed these by immersive stakeholder co-design, modular space planning, durable finishes, and a rigorous technical package that enables adaptability for future needs, ensuring reliability and ease of use.

The project establishes Millmead House as a versatile civic hub, capable of hosting formal meetings, public consultations, training, community events, and communal activities. Enhanced accessibility, improved wayfinding, and resilient infrastructure support sustained, inclusive engagement, reinforcing Guildford Borough Council’s commitment to a collaborative, regenerative approach to place-making.

Millmead House now stands as a refreshed, welcoming civic hub, extending its reach into the community and setting a benchmark for future council-led regenerations.