You’ve shared in the limitless accessibility of modern music; however, you are probably yet to experience it live, from within an 18th century church. In Islington, the deconsecrated church of St Luke’s has been given a new lease of life, as an events venue. Previously considered one of England's most important buildings at risk, this Grade I listed church had fallen into disrepair, prior to the LSO’s intervention.

Recent advancement in innovative restoration techniques, alongside the rising prevalence of secularist beliefs has meant that deconsecrated churches offer up a wealth of opportunities. Across the country, architects have been transforming disused buildings into remarkable libraries, restaurants and, in this case, concert halls. This conversion has played host to names such as, Elton John, Bruce Springsteen and, of last night, the London Accordion Orchestra.

Within St Luke’s, the stark modernity of the renovation acknowledges the brilliance of historical architecture, without sullying it through attempted imitation. The addition of a galleried landing makes full use of the building’s cavernous height, and is accompanied by four towering steel pillars, which support the new roof with unabashed honesty. The gallery is accessed via two spiral staircases, whose symmetry acts as an ode to designs of the past, yet they too remain functional, and are cast in the same industrial steel as the columns. The use of exposed materials is also carried through to the bright red bricks, just below the ceiling, which contrast unashamedly with the more rugged exteriors of their forefathers. These stand among newly glazed windows, which are further encased in vast panes of glass, as if they were exhibits in a museum, speaking to the conservationist efforts that are evidently at the heart of this project.

This remarkable endeavour paves the way for Britain’s historical buildings to evolve alongside modern culture, ushering in a new era of architecture, which favours sustainably conserving the resources we have. In St Luke’s, no pretence surrounds the juxtaposition of the old with the new. Instead, the contemporary structure exists with a clear purpose: to enable the appreciation of historic architecture (from inside an insulated and well-lit room, of course).