MRC Childrens space and office

The Migrants Resource Centre offers support for people new to Britain, with users coming from all over the world. As part of a new centre for IT training, the Victorian basement was transformed to provide a crèche, meeting space and events space.

Our priority was to bring daylight and colour into this dark basement. New structural openings link the curious space of existing vaults to the main room and an area of pavement lights brings daylight into the whole area: the shadows of passers-by and the passage of sunlight make an aural and visual connection to the life of the street above. Conical holes cut into a thick masonry wall (previously the external wall) draw light into the main room, and careful use of colour intensifies the sense of warmth and safety. A large folding partition wall opens the whole space for larger events.

We worked closely with the client group to support funding applications which made the project possible.

Awards & Publications

  1. Finalist: Architects Journal Small Projects Award
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  1. Client: Migrants Resource Centre
  2. Related projects: Kyle of Sutherland Hub, Primrose Hill Primary School