HT appointed to refurbish Grade I listed De La Warr Pavilion 09.04.24

Haworth Tompkins has been appointed to work with Rother District Council and DLWP to develop proposals for the refurbishment of the De La Warr Pavilion in Bexhill as part of the Bexhill and Sidley Levelling Up Capital Projects programme.

The proposals explore options to refurbish the Grade I listed building to provide improved accessibility for audiences, a refurbished auditorium, improved gallery spaces, increased technical and learning facilities, remodelled existing staff facilities and new environmental systems to help meet net carbon neutral ambitions.

Haworth Tompkins will lead a design team to develop proposals for the sensitive refurbishment and upgrade of the building. The team will draw on their extensive experience in delivering cultural heritage projects to produce designs that deliver an ambitious vision, ensuring that the Pavilion can continue to deliver culture-led regeneration for the region.

“We are thrilled to have been awarded the opportunity to work alongside Rother District Council and DLWP to develop proposals for the refurbishment of the iconic, modernist, Grade I Listed De La Warr Pavilion. Alongside our experienced and creative team, and with valuable input from the local community, we are looking forward to creating a renewed Pavilion for the arts, for staff, performers, exhibitors, and visitors alike.

Building upon our extensive experience in delivering cultural heritage projects including ‘NT Future’ for the National Theatre, Battersea Arts Centre and the remodelling of the modernist Chichester Festival Theatre, we are well placed to work with all the partners and stakeholders to deliver an ambitious vision for the Pavilion”. Lucy Picardo - Director, Haworth Tompkins.

Read the full press release here. Image credit - Clear Air Flying.

More News

Haworth Tompkins has three projects shortlisted at this year’s Pineapple Awards: The Developer and Festival of Place, which celebrate excellence in placemaking. The shortlists demonstrate the strength of our approach to placemaking and collaborative design.

Unanimous planning permission has been granted for Troubadour Greenwich Peninsula, a new 3,000-capacity performance venue designed by Haworth Tompkins.

Haworth Tompkins Associate Director Ken Okonkwo has been reappointed as a Mayor’s Design Advocate (MDA) for the 2025–2028 term, marking his second appointment to the role.

2025 was a demanding year for the built environment, but also one of real momentum for Haworth Tompkins. Against a challenging economic and political backdrop, the practice continued to adapt, collaborate and deliver work of lasting value.

The £2 billion York Central regeneration project has submitted the latest planning application for the next stage of delivery and includes Haworth Tompkins designs for Foundry Village; a walkable, street-based neighbourhood designed that will deliver 368 mixed-tenure homes.

Theatr Clwyd has been shortlisted for Theatre Building of the Year at this year’s Stage Awards.

Pembroke Mill Lane, Cambridge and The Warburg Renaissance have been selected as Regional Finalists in the 2026 Civic Trust Awards and will now be considered for National Awards with the winners announced January 2026.

Haworth Tompkins has completed Backstage at the Old Vic, a new build six storey extension to the Grade II* listed Old Vic Theatre, in London’s Waterloo marking a bold new chapter in the theatre’s remarkable 200-year story.