Canterbury Cathedral Organ Loft

Canterbury, United Kingdom 2016–2020

Client: The Dean and Chapter of Canterbury Cathedral UNESCO World Heritage Site

The new organ loft at Canterbury Cathedral provides an elevated place in the central part of the Cathedral for the organist to sit at their console and play, in a position close to the choir and within clear sight of the choirmaster. The new loft stands in the North Quire, in the oldest part of the building, between two stone columns, and is separated from the choir by a stone screen that dates from the twelfth century.

Cathedral reflected ceiling plan

Plan

Cross section

Section detail

Section

Section

North Quire Aisle level detail plan

Platform level detail plan

North, west and east elevations

South elevation and section

Writing

A Conversation with Adam Caruso

Adam Caruso was interviewed for OASE Journal's edition on modernity. Emailing with the issue's editors, Tom Avermaete and Hans Teerds, he discusses the nuances of what it means to be 'modern' and how to engage with a cities architectural codes and conventions while adding to its definition of history.

Project: Office Building, Escher Wyss Platz
Project: Canterbury Cathedral Organ Loft
Project: Bremer Landesbank Headquarters

Location
Canterbury, United Kingdom

Date
2016–2020

Client
The Dean and Chapter of Canterbury Cathedral

Heritage
UNESCO World Heritage Site

Construction cost
£150,000

Caruso St John Architects
Adam Caruso, Peter St John, Rod Heyes

Project architect
Will Pirkis

Structural engineers
Price & Myers LLP, The Morton Partnership LLP (cathedral engineers)

Services engineer
Ritchie & Daffin Ltd.

Main contractor
Millimetre Ltd.

Photography
Hélène Binet