Thank you for visiting this public consultation website hosted by the Sainsbury Centre and the University of East Anglia (UEA). We are pleased to share the initial proposals for the refurbishment of the Sainsbury Centre and to gather feedback on the approach as it continues to develop.

This is an opportunity to better understand the priorities of visitors, students, staff, and the wider community, helping to shape proposals that support the building’s long-term future as a world-class museum, gallery, and teaching facility. Your feedback is important to us, and we welcome your comments on the emerging design.

Almost fifty years since it opened its doors, the Sainsbury Centre remains a key academic, cultural and social focus within the University of East Anglia campus, contributing to the institution’s identity as a cultural and creative hub.

Since opening in 1978, the Sainsbury Centre has evolved through a series of carefully considered interventions, including the addition of the Crescent Wing in 1991 and the Link Project in 2006, which connected the Crescent Wing to the main building. These works have enabled the building to respond to changing needs while maintaining its distinctive architectural character.

The proposed refurbishment represents the next chapter in the building’s ongoing evolution. It seeks to safeguard the significance of the Grade II* listed building while enhancing its performance, functionality and visitor experience, ensuring it continues to serve the needs of the university, its students, staff and visitors, while protecting the celebrated Sainsbury Collection for decades to come.