Bassett Centre

Project

Bassett Centre

Location

Camborne, Cornwall

Client

Camborne Town Council

Contract

£13.1m

Duration

On site

Project Description

A major transformation project is currently underway in Cornwall, breathing new life into the historic, Grade II listed Basset Centre – originally the Basset School – and the adjacent White House in Camborne. This flagship community development represents a central pillar of the town’s wider regeneration initiatives, heavily funded by a grant allocation from the Camborne Town Deal. The redeveloped site will be officially named ‘Awenva’, a traditional Cornish name translating to ‘Place of Inspiration’. Once completed, this multi-functional public facility will act as a dynamic cultural hub designed to unite local residents, support regional businesses, and celebrate the town’s rich industrial identity.

The architectural scope bridges historical preservation with 21st-century functionality. The construction strategy focuses on linking the two separate heritage buildings via a striking, modern glass atrium. This transparent structure will create a central gateway, successfully unifying the old school house and the neighbouring building while maintaining the architectural integrity of their original external facades.

Once the main works are fully completed, the state-of-the-art building will house Camborne’s returning town library, a community café, a dedicated youth space, and flexible room-hire options for local groups. The project also incorporates immersive heritage displays highlighting local mining history, a large multi-use performance and event space, an outdoor walled garden, and an accessible ‘Changing Places’ facility.

Due to the complexity of the site, the delivery team split the construction schedule into phases. The initial phase involved an extensive enabling works package, which included structural remediation, foundational stabilisation, and complete roof removal.

Simultaneously, engineers integrated sustainable, low-carbon materials and energy-efficient utility networks to lower the site’s future operational footprint. The subsequent main works phase centres on a comprehensive internal modernisation, incorporating traditional sash window frame restoration, lime pointing, and structural floor reinforcement.

The project is on track to open in 2027, safeguarding Camborne’s civic legacy for generations to come.