London-based architecture studio Manalo & White has successfully transformed a historic 19th-century church in Bangor, North Wales, into a vibrant youth arts center called Nyth, which means "nest" in Welsh. The innovative conversion project was designed specifically for Frân Wen, a Welsh-language theater company, and serves the local community by providing young people with dedicated spaces for rehearsals, performances, scriptwriting, and technical disciplines.
The building, originally constructed in 1864 as St Mary's Church, had served the community for 150 years before closing in 2014. The Grade II-listed Victorian church presented unique challenges for the architectural team, who focused on preserving the building's historic character while dramatically improving accessibility and strengthening its connection to the surrounding neighborhood. "Nyth was conceived not just as a building but a civic catalyst, a place to empower young people, revitalize a long-neglected landmark, and re-establish a cultural presence at the heart of Bangor," explained Takuya Oura, associate director at Manalo & White.
One of the most significant and innovative aspects of the renovation involved excavating the first three bays of the church's former undercroft. This strategic intervention created a step-free access point that eliminates the need for external ramps, while simultaneously providing valuable additional space for essential facilities including a meeting room, green room, restrooms, and an elevator to access the upper floor. The former undercroft also houses a versatile studio space equipped with a screen for presentations and workshops, enhanced by black drapes that elegantly wrap around the exposed historic stone walls.
The heart of the building features the transformation of the nave and aisles of the original church into a large, open multipurpose space ideal for both rehearsals and performances. To maximize the functionality of this central area, the architects added a steel-framed mezzanine to the main hall, creating multiple performance levels and enhancing the spatial dynamics of the venue. Functional elements were thoughtfully integrated throughout the design, with a storage area cleverly concealed behind large black drapes and specially designed acoustic wall panels that resemble traditional organ pipes to optimize sound quality for theatrical performances.
Sustainability and heritage preservation played crucial roles throughout the renovation process. The design team prioritized the reuse of original materials wherever possible, including repurposing organ pipes, ceramic tiles, and stones from demolished walls. Remarkably, 90 percent of the church's original wooden pews were given new life as wall paneling, doors, and bespoke joinery elements throughout the building. "Throughout, the team prioritized heritage-led reuse over replacement," Oura noted. "Materials were carefully chosen for their low environmental impact, durability and local relevance."
The architects complemented these repurposed materials with a raw palette of natural stone, sanded lime plaster, concrete, and galvanized metal. When new materials were necessary, the team prioritized local sourcing, drawing inspiration from North Wales' rich building traditions and utilizing materials such as hydraulic lime and traditional timber finishes. The former south aisle was converted into a kitchen that serves as both a quiet space for breaks and a functional green room during performances.
Environmental considerations extended beyond material choices to include comprehensive energy efficiency measures. The building is powered by air-source heat pumps, features new wood fiber insulation installed between visible rafters, and relies primarily on a natural ventilation system. "Most of the building is naturally ventilated, including the main performance space, where fresh air enters from the undercroft and exits through discreet roof openings," Oura explained. The team successfully resolved the typical tension between natural ventilation and sound insulation through the creation of bespoke acoustic chambers lined with sound-absorbing materials.
The design process was notably collaborative, guided by a series of workshops with the young people who would ultimately use the facility. These sessions identified key priorities including the creation of an inclusive, robust space for creativity and increased connection to the local natural environment. Working closely with ecologists and local landscape designers, Manalo & White enhanced biodiversity and improved the building's relationship with its surroundings by adding plant beds featuring local flowers and trees, installing bat and bird boxes, and designing a rainwater-harvested garden suitable for open-air rehearsals and community events.
The Nyth project represents a successful model of adaptive reuse that honors architectural heritage while meeting contemporary community needs. The transformation demonstrates how historic religious buildings can find new purpose as cultural centers, particularly in supporting youth development and preserving local language and cultural traditions. The project joins other notable Welsh architectural renovations, including traditional stone farmhouses with modern extensions and innovative community centers that blend historical preservation with contemporary functionality.
