The Historic Dockyard in Chatham

This is the winner of a Medal.

Restoration and regeneration of a 32 ha dockyard of the Age of Sail (1704-1855). Two decades ago the Royal Dockyards at Chatham closed with a traumatic impact on the local community, where it had been the principal employer for over 400 years. Left behind was a complex site of exceptional European maritime heritage significance, dilapidated and without a clear future.

The aim of this large-scale project was to secure a sustainable future for a highly significant international maritime heritage site, with over 100 industrial buildings and structures, as a major educational and cultural resource. It is also home to 400 people and creates employment for around 1000 people. Key projects within the programme were the repair and restoration five covered Slips of exceptional significance to the history of the design of wide span structures, the restoration and re-roofing of the Tarred Yarn Stores to provide accommodation for a museum gallery, and the restoration of three historic ships at the heart of the site.

“For a programme of conservation undertaken to the highest professional standards, whilst retaining the atmosphere of a working dockyard site which successfully blends new income-generating activities with the display of historic artefacts.”