Building: The King Charles III Sacristy at Westminster Abbey

This film explores the construction of The King Charles III Sacristy - a new architectural addition being built beside Westminster Abbey.

Architect Ptolemy Dean shares his insights into designing and building on one of the most important historic sites in the world, and brings us behind the scenes for a rare look at how traditional craftsmanship and historic building techniques are being used to bring the building to life.

The film highlights some of the materials being used in the sacristy, from handmade bricks and specially quarried Purbeck marble to the sustainably sourced French oak which forms the first Gothic vault to be built on this site since the Middle Ages. We see too how detailed hand-drawn plans combine traditional techniques with modern precision.

The film also tells the story of how the project survived delays during the Covid-19 pandemic, and how the skill and dedication of expert craftspeople mean that it’s now nearing completion.

Once open, the Sacristy will house state-of-the-art welcome, security and ticketing facilities, allowing the Abbey to improve the welcome it offers to the more than a million people who come to explore this wonderful building each year.

It is being built on the footprint of Henry III’s medieval Great Sacristy where the monks kept items needed for their daily worship, allowing the Abbey itself to be preserved in all its beauty and wonder as a sacred space.

Designed in sympathy with the Abbey's Gothic architecture, the new building will reflect the history of the original Sacristy by freeing the Abbey for worship and pilgrimage and by once again serving as a gathering place on state occasions.