Officially opened by HRH The Princess Royal, St Martins was a community project that had a very limited budget and placed a large amount of faith in the support of volounteers, local people and businesses to help see the project realised. This collaborative effort has seen the project win a BCA award.
A partnership model is used that ensures the long term sustainability of the building with different groups using different parts of the building througout the day and into the night. As explained further in the short film below, it's a successful model that is being adopted by other similar organisations throughout the UK.
The design brief for the new multi-functional venue would have many stakeholders and different elements to consider. All areas of the centre were given a complete overhaul with internal spaces redesigned to meet various requirements along with external enhancments to modernise the building and make it more welcoming.
A large canopy invites and welcomes visitors into a light foyer area where a 'compression and release' effect was employed to draw users further into the building and the double height of the cafe space.
The Allenton BIG Build project at St Martins Church & Community Centre really was like no other! A huge challenge for us as a small team, with very limited knowledge and experience, yet a hugely ambitious plan – however the support we received from Redesign was equally like no other!
Redesign created the ultimate design for the project, and were alongside us every step of the way, with constant advice and guidance. Their exceptional insight and experience enabled us to fully realise the ambition for the project, and the end result truly speaks for itself.
We we’re ultimately delighted to share with them in the success of the project at the official opening by HRH Princess Royal. Redesign were not just the ‘architects’ of St Martins, they were genuinely one of the team of ‘visionaries’; and they continue to be a valued friend of the project to this day.
CARL TRING-WILLIS, PROJECT MANAGER
