In 2015, HemingwayDesign was commissioned by the Guildhall Trust to reimagine Portsmouth Guildhall. Collaborating with the Guildhall Trust, we developed an ambitious plan to transform the Guildhall into a vibrant venue, offering a year-round, engaging, accessible, and eclectic program of national and international music and performance.
More recently, we worked with the Guildhall Trust to secure Arts Council funding to convert the Guildhall basement into a dedicated creative space for young people aged 11–25. This new area, known as The BASE, provides young people with access to a band room equipped with backline equipment, a production studio featuring a DJ mixing space, a multimedia suite with specialist software, a performance space, and a creative/social area.
Following the successful funding bid our interiors team worked closely with the client to design this dynamic space. Utilising the existing structural columns, we created a series of ‘zoned’ areas defined by bespoke joinery elements. These zones cater to a variety of activities, including social and creative spaces, collaborative learning, and private study areas. The custom joinery pieces are moveable, allowing the space to be reconfigured for pop-up performances, events, exhibitions, and workshops.
Given the basement’s lack of natural light, we focused on bringing warmth and texture to the space using natural and sustainable materials such as sustainably sourced birch plywood, cork, and linseed-derived wall panelling. A carefully chosen colour palette, blending playfulness with sophistication, creates an inviting environment where the target age group can study, create, relax and socialise.
An ongoing partnership between The Base and the University of Portsmouth will see students setting up a series of workshops designed not only to teach practical skills but also to inspire and empower young participants. The first workshop was delivered by MA interior architecture and design students where young people designed and made cushion covers to feature in the creative space.
Images 3,6 & 9 by Chalk Creatives
