Sponsored by Hayes Davidson

Freehaus is working with The ClementJames Centre, a charity empowering the community through education, employment support and wellbeing, in one of London’s most polarised boroughs.
We are currently leading the design and delivery of the Centre’s new learning complex, consisting of a dedicated two-storey Learning Annexe, a Winter Garden and enhancements to the existing Community Garden.
The massing of the proposal, formed around the Garden, is sensitive to the character of the Grade II listed context and Conservation Area, and will allow the Centre to extend their services to more people.

Sited in a Conservation Area and bounded by the Grade II St Clement Church, our proposal rationalises the site considering its historic context. Whilst the Learning Annexe replicates the characteristic Victorian outrigger, the Winter Garden references the Church’s gables and roofline, harmonising existing and proposed interventions.
The proposal enhances the existing Garden, maintaining it at the heart of the scheme. The renewed Garden was designed flexibly and inclusively to allow for various gatherings, from gardening classes, markets to religious events, contributing to the improvement of the social, cultural, and economic character of the area.
The layout maximises every inch of the site. The Learning Annexe features a covered walkway that reduces the need for internal circulation. The Winter Garden makes use of an underutilised area, creating an exterior space that can be used in all weathers.
The materials are robust and ensure the functionality and long-term viability of the spaces whilst the proposed internal design is multifunctional being able to respond to the changing needs of local residents, enabling the charity to grow and thrive for years to come.

With their facilities at full capacity, the charity’s ability to offer support is now limited. The delivery of the project will: 
-sustain 40 jobs and create 13 new posts
-provide 168 additional classes/week
-facilitate 8,000 additional 1:1 advice sessions/year
-deliver increased footprint without the loss of existing green space
-provide space for organisations to engage locally
-work with local gardening groups and schools to promote education about biodiversity and the environment
-employ local suppliers and manufacturers, reducing carbon footprint and boosting the local economy.

Eleanor Sharpe