Working with the Past to Build for the Future

Sometimes, progress means pausing to listen to history, literally beneath our feet.

Two of our recent projects, Dudley Interchange and Worcester Cathedral, involved extensive collaboration with archaeologists to protect and preserve significant historical remains.

At Dudley Interchange, the team was preparing to construct a new car park on the site of an old churchyard, which was impacted by highway upgrades. Initial works were carried out under a standard archaeological watching brief, until a gravestone was discovered. From that moment, everything changed.

We partnered closely with archaeologists to carefully map, record, and preserve over 300 sqm of burial ground. The design team then worked with Dudley Council to sympathetically redesign the drainage and car park layout, ensuring all graves remained undisturbed. A delicate balance between infrastructure and heritage.

At Worcester Cathedral, the collaboration was even more intensive. With no excavation permitted without archaeological oversight, we worked alongside archaeologists every step of the way: over 100 days in total.

Due to the discovery of widespread human remains, up to four archaeologists were present on site at times. A key design challenge was installing a rising bollard system at College Yard. Working hand-in-hand with both the bollard contractor and the Cathedral’s archaeological team, we adapted the design to respect the depth, density, and importance of archaeological features.

Take a look at the photos below to see how this unique collaboration took shape on the ground at Worcester Cathedral.

These projects remind us that building for tomorrow sometimes starts by understanding what lies beneath. We’re proud to have worked side by side with archaeological experts to deliver solutions that honour the past while meeting today’s infrastructure needs.