World Shakespeare Campus Masterplan building, WSC Stratford architecture design news
World Shakespeare Campus Masterplan, Stratford-upon-Avon, UK
English cultural and visitor experience in Warwickshire design by BDP Architects, England, UK
17 February 2025
BDP To Lead World Shakespeare Campus Masterplan
Design: BDP Architects
Location: Stratford-upon-Avon, England, UK
image courtesy of architects practice
World Shakespeare Campus Masterplan by BDP
BDP has assembled an industry-leading team to develop the World Shakespeare Campus Masterplan, an ambitious heritage-led redevelopment in the heart of Stratford-upon-Avon. This transformative project has the potential to reimagine Shakespeare’s Birthplace and the surrounding area, leading to the creation of an updated, cultural and visitor experience with global appeal that strengthens Stratford-upon-Avon’s status as the home of Shakespeare.
The masterplan will explore the regeneration of Henley Street, Shakespeare’s Birthplace, and the Shakespeare Centre, strengthening their role within the wider cultural landscape. It will also assess the potential for a new World Shakespeare Museum within the Stratford-upon-Avon Gateway, providing a focal point for discovery and storytelling. By improving orientation and links between heritage spaces, the campus has the potential to create an enriched experience for visitors and residents alike. BDP, as lead consultant, will be supported by key partners with expertise in tourism, business planning, commercial feasibility, cost planning, transport, and museum design.
Through this project, BDP aims to help Shakespeare’s Birthplace Trust redefine how Shakespeare’s legacy is curated and presented. The new campus is envisioned to showcase creative collaborations, expanding learning programmes, and establishing a centre for research and knowledge. By embracing innovation and thoughtful placemaking, the World Shakespeare Campus will provide an inclusive and engaging cultural destination that resonates with visitors from around the world.
Gergana Draganova, Urbanism Director at BDP, said: “We are creating a vision for the new home of Shakespeare for the world. This project presents a once-in-a-generation opportunity to shape a cultural and heritage destination of international significance. Our team brings a balance of global expertise and local sensitivity, ensuring the World Shakespeare Campus is a place that is socially, environmentally, and economically sustainable.”
Tim Aucott, director of strategy and change at the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust, added: “Our ambition for the World Shakespeare Campus is to create a space in the heart of Stratford-upon-Avon that honours Shakespeare’s enduring legacy and celebrates his hometown. To achieve such an ambitious and wide-reaching project we’ve partnered with an organisation that has unrivalled experience on delivering masterplans that balance the needs of residents and the opportunities for growth and renewal. We are delighted to be working with the team at BDP.”
BDP’s multidisciplinary approach will integrate architecture, urban public realm design, landscape architecture, engineering, heritage expertise, and sustainability, ensuring a cohesive and visionary framework for the campus. BDP’s heritage architects and urban designers will work closely with conservation officers and stakeholders to develop a strategy that balances preservation with future needs.
As a global leader in masterplanning, urban design, and heritage environments, BDP is committed to creating places that reflect the spirit of their location while delivering lasting value for communities. The World Shakespeare Campus will celebrate Shakespeare’s legacy while shaping an engaging and accessible cultural experience for future generations.
BDP
BDP is a leading, global, multidisciplinary design practice united by a shared purpose: to design a world that’s built for good. For more than 60 years, we’ve been solving problems, creating innovative spaces, and pushing the boundaries of what’s possible. From the start, we’ve been pioneers in the world of design, and our legacy is built on the meaningful, people-centred places we’ve brought to life.
We are a diverse, international practice of architects, engineers, designers, and urbanists. We work closely with our clients, users, and communities to craft spaces for living, working, learning, and enjoying life across the globe. With studios spanning the UK, Ireland, Europe, Asia, and North America, our reach is as broad as our expertise. And since joining forces with Japan’s Nippon Koei in 2016, our ability to deliver integrated, impactful design has only grown stronger.
Our work is rooted in creativity, quality, and collaboration. We believe that great design removes barriers and opens new possibilities, all while meeting the demands of a constantly evolving world. Whether we’re designing homes, workplaces, or public spaces, we always put people at the heart of our thinking, ensuring that the environments we create are not just functional, but also inclusive, beautiful, and socially and environmentally responsible.
We’re proud of the places we’ve shaped and the lives we’ve touched, and we are committed to continuing our mission of designing a better, more connected world—one that leaves every place better than we found it.
www.bdp.com
World Shakespeare Campus Masterplan, Stratford-upon-Avon images / information received 100225
Location: Stratford-upon-Avon, England, UK
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Stratford-upon-Avon Architecture
WarwickshireArchitecture Designs – Stratford-upon-Avon architectural selection below:
Royal Shakespeare Theatre – redevelopment, Stratford-upon-Avon
Design: Bennetts Associates
Royal Shakespeare Theatre
The Royal Shakespeare Company Courtyard Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon
Design: Ian Ritchie Architects
RSC Courtyard Theatre building photos
Stratford-upon-Avon Bridge
Design: Ian Ritchie Architects
Stratford-upon-Avon Bridge
Bluebell Views Student Residences, University of Warwick
Design: PagePark Architects
University of Warwick Student Residences
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English Architecture
English Architecture Design – chronological list
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