Occupying the former primary school building in the Headingley Conservation Area, HEART is a community resource that offers a variety of high-quality arts, office and meeting spaces, complimented by a highly popular café. The refurbishment works included a new glazed reception area linking the two existing buildings and a new mezzanine floor allowing additional office space to be located within the roof void.

The design was modelled to allow the completed building to achieve a BREEAM ‘very good’ rating, employing a photovoltaic array, solar hot-water, rainwater harvesting and low-energy lighting throughout. The design team and contractor worked together to preserve and enhance the existing architectural qualities of this Victorian former school building, whilst injecting a new vitality such an exciting project brings.