Charity Project Architects Norwich

The initial brief was to create an engaging space for service users in the later stages of drug and alcohol recovery.

The main challenges were a fast design and procurement programme in order to meet the end of September 2019 deadline. Due to the funding structure, the project was split into 3 phases, the first being strip out and demolition, focused on a soft-strip of the building’s food research laboratory previous use, with extensive building services needing making safe and removing.

The second phase to create the new kitchen and toilet blocks to ensure the existing facilities could be run to avoid disruption to the existing vital services and thirdly to create a main social hub space with café, general seating and library.

New openings were formed to the front elevation to provide much needed natural light and create a new principle public entrance.

Given the complexities of taking internal partitions to the underside roof of a portal framed light-industrial unit, our concept was to cap all new ground floor accommodation within this central space with a mezzanine floor. Whilst this provides a neat solution for sub-division of space below, it also provides additional accommodation above.

Our proposal also provides a multifunctional space that will be acoustically resilient to the rest of the building to be used as a music, dance, yoga and meditation space. New counselling rooms, laundry, kitchen and café area are also accommodated at ground floor. The mezzanine floor is devoted to social space with TV and games areas.

Cannon Clarke Architects listened carefully to the staff and service users to create a conceptual vision for “The Recovery Hub”. The brief was to create a safe community space, where friendships and support can be found. The facility needs to “give the opportunity to build self-esteem and confidence through a balanced programme of vocational and creative workshops/activities”.

The project has been realised through careful consideration of materials fitting with the light-industrial nature of the building’s previous life. Internal walls are clad in matte varnished OSB (orientated strand board), not only for robustness but also for its self-finish visual warm looking wood qualities. CCA also proposed to paint the existing ceiling structure, including the fixtures to remain, in anthracite to disguise the potential visual ‘mess’ and unify the space with one treatment. Lighting feature rafts and barrister bar front are made from up-cycling scaffold planks and truss bracing. The base architectural design is deliberately calm and neutral in order that furnishings can be somewhat eclectic and can be sourced at different times and from different styles whilst being complementary and in harmony with the overall concept.

Cannon Clarke Architects, are Registered Architects, based in Norwich and provided full design services, RIBA stages 0-7, including Contract Administration services.

The team at Cannon Clarke Architects have been fully engaged in this project with a drive and vision to provide the best possible design and ensure the project was delivered on time.

If you are a registered charity and have specific architectural requirements, we offer a free no obligation consultation. Call us on 01603 567415 to speak to a member of our professional team.