A Cultural Centre for St Helena
Jamestown, St Helena
The SHCC is a landmark project for St Helena — a place where heritage, learning and community converge in a setting that honours the island’s past while shaping its future.
A Cultural Centre for St Helena Jamestown, St Helena
MWAI’s vision for community, conservation and cultural infrastructure
The St Helena Cultural Centre (SHCC) is a community-led, government-supported initiative to create a world-class cultural facility in Jamestown, the capital of St Helena. Designed by Matthew Woodthorpe of MWAI, the centre brings together three vital institutions: the Museum of St Helena, the Jamestown Public Library, and the Saint Helena Government Archives.
The project is housed within two historic buildings — the former Public Works Department (PWD) Store and the Old Power House — both located at the base of Jacob’s Ladder on Grand Parade. MWAI’s proposal retains the character of these civic structures while introducing new architectural interventions to support accessibility, conservation and public engagement.
The new archive is a low-energy, humidity-controlled facility designed to preserve the island’s unique historical records. The library is relocated to the ground floor of the PWD Store, offering modern, tourism-friendly spaces for education and outreach. A new gallery and lecture space on the top floor expands the museum’s capacity for exhibitions and events.
The SHCC is a landmark project for St Helena — a place where heritage, learning and community converge in a setting that honours the island’s past while shaping its future.
The project is a community initiative and will be entirely developed through fundraising. MWAI are currently providing their expertise pro bono.
The project is housed within two historic buildings — the former Public Works Department (PWD) Store and the Old Power House — both located at the base of Jacob’s Ladder on Grand Parade. MWAI’s proposal retains the character of these civic structures while introducing new architectural interventions to support accessibility, conservation and public engagement.
The new archive is a low-energy, humidity-controlled facility designed to preserve the island’s unique historical records. The library is relocated to the ground floor of the PWD Store, offering modern, tourism-friendly spaces for education and outreach. A new gallery and lecture space on the top floor expands the museum’s capacity for exhibitions and events.
The SHCC is a landmark project for St Helena — a place where heritage, learning and community converge in a setting that honours the island’s past while shaping its future.
The project is a community initiative and will be entirely developed through fundraising. MWAI are currently providing their expertise pro bono.