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St. Dunstan's House | Heritage Regeneration in Glastonbury O2i Design transformed St. Dunstan's House into a Community Health & Wellbeing Centre through sustainable heritage regeneration in Glastonbury.

St. Dunstan’s House Community Health & Wellbeing Centre, Glastonbury

Glastonbury

Working closely with Glastonbury Town Council and statutory consultees, O2i Design team led the design and planning process for the transformation of St. Dunstan’s House Community Health & Wellbeing Centre, securing all necessary statutory consents and approvals.

This heritage regeneration project forms part of a wider programme of investment in Glastonbury’s historic centre, creating a modern Community Health & Wellbeing Centre while enhancing the setting of some of Somerset’s most important heritage assets. The scheme required careful coordination across the Grade II* listed Town Hall, the Grade II listed St. Dunstan’s House and the Scheduled Monument of Glastonbury Abbey, balancing the requirements of heritage conservation, accessibility, community use and long-term sustainability.

A key objective of the listed building refurbishment was to create an inclusive and accessible public building. The refurbishment introduced step-free access throughout, with new lifts, ramps, automatic doors and accessible facilities, including a fully compliant Changing Places facility. The reconfigured building now accommodates a range of health, wellbeing and community services, alongside the return of the Glastonbury Information Centre and flexible event spaces that support wider civic activity.

Sustainable building design was central to the project. Environmental performance was improved through a comprehensive programme of upgrades, including roof insulation, high-performance glazing, LED lighting, and low-carbon heating from air-source heat pumps. Building-integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) panels generate renewable energy, while underground attenuation systems provide climate-resilient drainage and help manage stormwater during extreme weather events.

The design team also worked closely with ecological specialists to ensure that biodiversity formed an integral part of the conservation architecture strategy. Measures included the creation of a dedicated bat loft, the use of bat-friendly construction materials and a carefully considered lighting scheme designed to protect established habitats and foraging routes.

Throughout the project, the emphasis was on the sensitive adaptation of historic buildings rather than wholesale change. By working within the constraints of a highly sensitive heritage setting, the scheme demonstrates how listed buildings and historic assets can be successfully repurposed to meet contemporary community needs while retaining their architectural and cultural significance. The result is a sustainable community architecture project that supports health, wellbeing and civic life, whilst contributing to the long-term stewardship of Glastonbury’s historic environment and the ongoing regeneration of Somerset’s town centres.

O2i Design specialises in rural architecture, heritage restoration, and sustainable community buildings across Somerset. Explore our portfolio of community architecture projects. For more information about the project, please visit here.