
The Challenge:
The proposed Centre for Independent Living (CIL) was envisioned to promote inclusive and independent lives for disabled and vulnerable people, enabling them to meet their full potential using their assets and capabilities.
Catering for residents with PMLD (Profound and Multiple Learning Disabilities), Learning Disabilities and Mental Health concerns it would establish an ethos of peer support and user led decision making, building the capacity of people to take charge of services and facilities.
Proposed to be managed by Camden Disability Action (CDA), a service run by disabled people for disabled people, providing information, support and activities to empower residents to live more independently.
The new centre was to comprise of three storeys plus basement plant room, constructed using concrete and steel frames on an extremely tight site, bounded on three sides by existing properties, near a London Overground line with the building’s footprint extending to the boundaries.

The Solution:
Key design changes, innovative methods of construction and altered tower crane use were implemented to compensate for the tight footprint and the close proximity to the train lines.
Stepped terraces were provided at all levels providing excellent accessibility throughout. Works also included extensive highway improvements.
Collaboration was key supporting an open book approach with our client and design team. The structural glazing subcontractor was appointed early in the design to assist refining interfaces. A working group for the centre met on site at key milestones throughout whilst existing service users, some with profound physical and learning difficulties, were accompanied on site visits.
Local businesses were invited to regular site tours and our team partnered with LB of Camden in an innovative consultation with care specialists and end-user groups to explore ways that the building could fully meet the diverse and specific needs of all the users involved.

The Impact:
Handed over in October 2018 the Greenwood Centre was delivered on time, on budget with zero defects at handover and a client satisfaction score of 9/10.
The new state of the art centre includes therapy spaces, associated facilities rooms, outside spaces, garden and roof terraces. Fully accessible flexible activity spaces include an art room, IT suite, music room, large ground floor room with a sprung floor, space for exercise classes, cafe, training kitchen and catering facilities.
Health and Safety on this project was exceptional, with Zero RIDDOR incidents and 235,080 Accident Free Man Hours.
It is also been nominated for various awards including:
• Construction News Awards 2019: Project of the Year (under £20m) – Winner
• Construction Manager of the Year Awards 2019 - Matthew Davies: Winner
• CCS National Gold Award - Winner
• BCI Awards 2019: Social Infrastructure Project of the Year – Finalist
• Kier Silver Helmet Award winner
" “Matt (Matt Davis, Project Manager) has been intelligent, polite, personable and effective problem solver, honest, creative and made the past two years a pleasant experience. There are few occasions when I would offer such praise to a contractor, but I consider myself most fortunate to have had such an excellent Project Manager on a construction site and would be delighted to work with Matt again.” "Julia Farr Senior Development Manager LB Camden
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