Design Partner for Venue Cymru Futures Project
AOC Architecture
Conwy County Borough Council appointed AOC Architecture as the lead design partner for the Venue Cymru Futures Project earlier this year, following a highly competitive procurement process that attracted wide ranging interest from across the sector.
The Venue Cymru Futures Project is a major capital investment programme to modernise and future proof Venue Cymru.
AOC Architecture has a wealth of experience in transforming public buildings, combining creative design with a sensitive approach to sites of cultural importance. For more than 20 years, the practice has championed innovative approaches to sustainable design that helps lower carbon emissions, improve energy efficiency, and drive long-term public value.
Sarah Ecob, Head of Economy and Culture at Conwy County Borough Council said: “The number of high-quality submissions we had for this tender was incredible. I’d like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who put in a bid. AOC Architecture impressed us with their approach and understanding of projects such as ours. We’re delighted to be working with them and excited to see their designs take shape as the project moves forward.”
Tom Coward, Director at AOC Architecture Ltd: “We are thrilled to have been appointed to help transform Venue Cymru in Llandudno. This project offers an exciting opportunity to create culturally significant spaces that will benefit north Wales for generations. We look forward to working closely with the entire team to deliver a venue that the whole community can be proud of.”
AOC Architecture are working on the detailed design which will be subject to planning considerations. They are working closely with the Venue Cymru Futures Project Team to refine the ideas and consult with everybody involved.
The Venue Cymru Futures Project is being made possible with the support of the UK Government, Welsh Government Transforming Towns, Arts Council Wales, and Ambition North Wales via its North Wales Growth Deal (pending full business case approval), whose continued investment is helping to secure the future of arts and culture in north Wales.
For more information email vcf@conwy.gov.uk
About Venue Cymru
The Venue Cymru Futures Project is a major capital investment programme to modernise and future proof Venue Cymru, protect and upgrade the Llandudno area library, deliver a new Culture Hub and provide a sustainable home for the Tourism Information Service.
The proposals support improved public access, service visibility and sustainability by bringing complementary cultural, community and visitor services together in a single, well-connected location alongside the addition of new facilities to support the cultural industries in our county.
The Venue Cymru Futures Project is being made possible with the support of the UK Government, Welsh Government Transforming Towns, Arts Council Wales, and Ambition North Wales via its North Wales Growth Deal (pending full business case approval), whose continued investment is helping to secure the future of arts and culture in north Wales.
About AOC Architecture Ltd.
AOC is a practice of architects and designers led by Tom Coward, Gill Lambert and Geoff Shearcroft. Established in 2005 and based in East London, the practice is best known for its new public buildings, transformation of cultural institutions, learning spaces and residential projects.
AOC engages with culture and communities to create buildings, places and experiences, from bespoke furniture and fabrics to large public buildings in sensitive contexts. They have particular expertise in co-creating new briefs and hybrid designs to meet contemporary challenges.
Completed projects include Young V&A, the transformation of the former Museum of Childhood, London (Art Fund Museum of the Year 2024); Locomotion New Hall, a new public collections building for the National Railway Museum, Shildon, County Durham; the masterplan and redevelopment of the National Science and Media Museum, Bradford; Somerset House Studios, a contemporary art centre in Grade I listed former government offices in central London (New London Award 2022); Southwark Heritage Centre and Walworth Library (part of the mixed-use development, Orchard Gardens, shortlisted for the RIBA Stirling Prize 2022); and the Reading Room, Wellcome Collection, “one of the nicest new public spaces in London” (The Telegraph); and Lloyd’s Register, the redevelopment of a Grade II* listed building to create a new publicly accessible cultural institution in the City of London.
Current projects include; the transformation of The National Archives’ brutalist icon in Kew; a new learning centre at Stonehenge in the UNESCO World Heritage Site; The Royal Academy of Music, London City Island teaching building; The reopening of the historic cinema Paignton Picture House in Devon; and Priory, a theatre and venue refurbishment and extension on the banks of the Great River Ouse in St Neots, Cambridgeshire.
AOC have built a reputation for the quality of their designs, winning RIBA, Design Museum Designs of the Year, Art Fund Museum of the Year and New London awards. The practice’s work has been internationally published and exhibited, including the British School at Rome, Royal Academy, V&A and Venice Biennale. AOC Architecture
Posted on 11/06/2026