Team effort transforms London day centre for people who are homeless
Homelessness
London
Sep 2012
Conservatory Brings Community Together at Kairos’ Stondon Park
AECOM’s Alix Baer and Catarina Portugal used their professional knowledge to bring sunshine to residents at Kairos Community Trust’s Stondon Park property.
The need
The Kairos Community Trust was set up in 1991 in London to provide accommodation, help and support for homeless people with substance misuse related problems. Some refurbishment had already been done at Stondon Park however it was still lacking in communal space, access to natural light and outlook onto the garden.
The solution
After consulting with Kairos Director Mossie Lyons about the aims of project and the local planning context, Alix and Catarina were able to provide key technical advice and support. “It became clear that the preferred option going forward would be to build a conservatory rather than a single-storey extension; this saved on cost, time and complexity of the build,” explained Alix.
How patrons helped
Using their professional skills, Alix and Catarina provided the project with:
- Site visit and client consultation
- Local planning research
- Professional and technical advice
- Initial schematic drawings of extension/conservatory
- Advice on contracting a builder
- Commentary on quote from builder
The social impact
“The completion of the conservatory at Stondon Park was greeted with joy and gratitude. The residents feel they now have a space in which to relax and be together. As one put it, it really has a sense of home about it now. One can never underestimate the place and importance of a sitting area to any home. The conservatory has the added bonus of looking out onto an attractive garden.”
Director of Kairos
“The conservatory has been invaluable to all the residents in the house. It has given us the extra space to sit in and socialise with each other or when friends visit. During the day it is an excellent area to dry clothes instead of using the tumble dryer, saving energy. I have also grown some lettuce and rocket leaves in there.”
resident at Stondon Park
