The congregation of the parish church of Christ Church in Downend, Bristol, wanted to see their place of worship used for performances and other activities, and become a centre for the community. The problem was the church was a poorly lit and run-down Victorian building with little flexibility about how its spaces could be used. It needed a complete revamp – but without losing its soul and its role as the heart of the parish community.Pairing traditional building methods with modern materials, Hart’s team turned Christ Church into a stunning flexible space with dramatic new lighting, a beautiful stone floor and removable seats.