Lewisham Children and Young People's Centre - Kaleidoscope

Client: Lewisham NHS Trust
Value: £13m
Duration: 2004 - 2006

Project Overview
CPC was appointed Project Manager and Contract Administrators for this prestigious scheme on behalf of Lewisham Primary Care Trust, in conjunction with Lewisham Council and South London and Maudsley NHS Trust.

The design, enabled by CABE (Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment) was for a new traditional build on a brown field site. It comprises 5 storeys with assessment and facilities for children, young people with special needs and their families on the lower floors and office accommodation to staff from Child Health, Child Adolescent Mental Health Services, Special Education and Social Care and Health on upper floors.

The project accords with Government initiatives to co-locate services to provide more economic and better services to the customers.

The Approach
The form, layout and materials of the new building encompass a holistic environmental design approach to create an appropriate internal environment. The passive design approach minimised reliance on mechanical equipment and allowed a high environmental rating to be achieved.

An innovative approach to servicing the building was adopted, with the bulk of the heating and cooling provided by circulating water through plastic pipes embedded in the concrete ceiling slab. The coils are run continuously at night in order to "temper" the building and make use of cheaper night-time electricity. During the day, this storage of heat and coolth is released and provides the bulk of the heating and cooling.

TThe project aims to be a ‘flagship’ model for Children’s Services provision within the UK and was recently awarded runner-up prize in the Community Benefit Category of the RICS London Regional Awards, the first prize having been awarded to the Royal Palace at Kew.

An award-winning project
The project won two major industry awards in May 2007, scooping the prestigious RICS (Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors) and RIBA (Royal Institute of British Architects).

The RICS award is given for the impact of the building on the local community, whilst the RIBA award is given in recognition of projects which are inspirational and brilliantly designed.

More Education Sector Case Studies