Renovations To Historic London Church Add Underground Levels

摘要

Renovations to one of London's most historic churches-St. Martin-in-the-Fields-have added new underground levels, a new entrance pavilion, and a light well to bring natural illumination into the new underground spaces and have restored and refurbished the appearance of both the interior and exterior of the church itself. Located near Trafalgar Square, St. Martin's, as the church is known, receives more than 700,000 visitors annually for worship, concerts, educational programs, and community charitable services at its various buildings. The visitors also include a significant number of tourists. The renewal project began in 2002 with competitions to choose both the architecture and the engineering firms. Construction commenced in January 2006, and the final work was being completed at press time. The project closed the church to the public for five months in 2007; other public areas were closed for eight months.